Back-to-School Hearing Checklist: 10 Signs That Your Child Might Be Struggling

Could a hearing problem be affecting the school day?

A new school year brings fresh routines, new teachers and busy classrooms. It is also a good time to pay attention to how well your child hears. Hearing difficulties can affect speech and language development, classroom learning and social interaction. They may also be mistaken for inattention, frustration or behavioral problems.

Even children who passed a newborn hearing screening can develop hearing loss later. If you notice any of the following signs, consider scheduling a professional hearing evaluation.

10 signs to watch for:

1. Frequently asking for repetitionYour child regularly asks people to repeat themselves or responds with “What?” or “Huh?” 

2. Turning up the volumeThe television, tablet, phone or radio is consistently louder than other family members prefer. 

3. Not following directionsYour child seems to miss instructions, especially when you are speaking from another room or not facing them. 

4. Watching faces closelyThey rely heavily on facial expressions or lip movements to understand what someone is saying. 

5. Hearing some sounds but not othersYour child may respond reliably in certain situations but appear not to hear at other times. 

6. Struggling in noisy placesFollowing conversations becomes harder in classrooms, cafeterias, school buses or other places with background noise. 

7. Experiencing a change in school performanceA drop in grades or difficulty completing assignments may be connected to missed classroom information. 

8. Having trouble concentratingYour child may appear distracted or lose track of conversations because listening requires extra effort. 

9. Feeling tired or frustrated after schoolStraining to hear throughout the day can be exhausting and may lead to irritability or withdrawal. 

10. Showing delayed or unclear speechSpeech that develops later than expected or remains difficult to understand can sometimes be associated with hearing loss.

When in doubt, have hearing checked

These behaviors do not automatically mean that your child has hearing loss. However, concerns should not be ignored. Hearing screenings are quick and painless, and children should be tested before entering school and whenever a parent, caregiver or teacher notices a possible problem.

Early identification can help children receive the support they need to communicate, learn and participate more confidently.

If you are concerned about your child’s hearing, make an appointment with Advanced Audiology Associates of Cape Cod. Visit hearingonthecape.com to get started.