Beverly Hills Hearing Center was founded in 1983 by Bonnie Baehr. Prior to that, Dr. Baehr practiced at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles as a staff audiologist for seven years. She was involved with diagnostic testing, hearing aid evaluations, research and rehabilitation. Dr. Baehr did her clinical fellowship training at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in downtown Los Angeles. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech Language and Hearing Association, California Academy of Audiology and Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
Latest posts by Bonnie L. Baehr, Au.D. (see all)
- How Hearing Loss Affects Communication in Relationships - November 6, 2025
- The Importance of Early Hearing Loss Detection in Children - October 27, 2025
- The Connection Between Hearing Health and Overall Well-Being - October 15, 2025
Hearing is key to a child’s ability to speak, learn, and interact with those around them. Children use hearing to develop communication skills. A child with hearing loss can suffer from learning difficulties, speech delays, and social interaction challenges. Early detection can provide the necessary support to help children succeed.
Hearing Loss Definition
Hearing loss can affect one or both ears and occurs when a person is unable to hear sounds. There are different levels of hearing loss:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Profound (Complete hearing loss)
Hearing loss can develop at any time during a person’s life. Some children are born with hearing loss, while others develop it in the first few years of life. A hearing health professional can determine the type of hearing loss.
There are different types of hearing loss:
- Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot pass through the outer or middle ear.
- Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the inner ear or the nerves that carry sound to the brain.
- Mixed hearing loss is a combination of both types.
Why Early Detection Matters
Children undergo essential brain and language development during the first few years of their lives. They learn to speak by hearing voices around them. Hearing loss impacts their ability to do so and can affect speech and language development.
Children who have hearing loss can face the following:
- Starting to speak later than other children
- Speaking unclearly
- Struggling to understand those speaking
- Having trouble reading
- Feeling left out and isolated in group settings
The good news is that when hearing loss is detected before six months of age, it can be more effectively treated and helps children improve their ability to communicate and understand others. This allows them to develop normal communication and language skills.
How Hearing Loss is Detected
Hospitals perform a newborn hearing screening before discharging them. If the baby fails the initial test, other more detailed tests are recommended to determine the type of hearing issue.
It’s important to note that even if the newborn passes the initial hearing test, hearing loss can still develop at a later time. Because of this, it’s important to watch for signs of hearing loss, such as:
- Not reacting to loud sounds
- Not turning toward voices
- Delayed speech or not speaking at all
- Difficulty following directions
- Often asking people to repeat themselves
When these signs are noticed, a hearing test should be scheduled with a hearing health professional.
Treatment and Support Options
If a young child has hearing loss, there are treatment options available. A hearing health professional determines the type of treatment.
The most common treatment options are listed below:
- Hearing aids: These are worn in or behind the ear and amplify sounds.
- Cochlear implants: These are surgically placed devices used to combat severe hearing loss where hearing aids are ineffective.
- Speech and language therapy: A therapist works with the child to help improve speaking and understanding.
- Sign language or visual communication tools: These can be helpful for children who need other ways to communicate.
Supporting a child allows them to play and learn just like children without hearing loss.
Support for Families
When children are diagnosed with hearing loss, it can be overwhelming for families. There are support systems and early intervention programs that include speech therapy, home visits, and support for parents. Addressing hearing loss is a collaborative effort between family members and the professional community. The goal is to help every child reach their full potential by providing effective treatment options.
Conclusion
The most important factor in effectively treating hearing loss is early detection. This provides families and hearing health professionals with the opportunity to take action during the critical years of a child’s development. The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome for the child and loved ones. With early intervention, children with hearing loss can still create meaningful social relationships, decrease the sense of isolation, develop strong speech and language skills, and have a successful academic career.
Anyone in the child’s life has a responsibility to recognize early signs of hearing loss. Early action provides every child with the best chance to grow and thrive.