Unilateral hearing loss affects only one side ear. The amount of damage in that ear can range from mild to total hearing loss.
If the damage is mild, it is still possible to hear some sounds, but if the hearing loss is total, a very loud sound will not be heard in that ear either.
When unilateral hearing loss is suspected, it is important to see an audiologist for a complete hearing evaluation to determine the exact degree and type of hearing loss.
It is also important to see an otolaryngologist, a doctor specializing in ear diseases. The physician will determine whether the hearing loss is medically treatable and whether it is associated with another health problem.
Unilateral Hearing Loss can sometimes worsen, but it usually does not. Hearing that worsens over time is a progressive hearing loss.
Unilateral Hearing Loss signs
UHL symptoms can be difficult to see in infants and young children. A child with UHL may:
- Trouble finding sounds is called localization. It helps us to know who is talking at any given moment. Your child may miss a message if he does not know who is talking. If your child is near a street, they may have trouble knowing where a horn is coming from. This can put him in danger.
- The problem of understanding speech in noisy places. It is easy to focus on the sounds when you listen with both ears.
- You hear problems from other rooms or outside. The sounds are louder when we hear with both ears. When two normal hearing ears are heard simultaneously, the sound sounds louder. With UHL, your child can hear speech but cannot understand what has been said.
When your child has hearing problems, she may:
- Very tired by the end of the day. This happens when he has to focus on speech throughout the day.
- It seems that she is not paying attention.
- Answer the questions wrong.
- When frustrated, “act out” or tantrums.
- Turn on the TV or radio too loudly.
Test for Unilateral Hearing Loss
Any youngster with hearing misfortune ought to be seen by an ear, nose and throat specialist or ENT. The ENT will investigate your youngster’s ears and check for liquid in the center ear.
An audiologist can test your kid’s hearing. This will incorporate the trial of his center ear. The audiologist can perform uncommon hearing tests if necessary.
Your youngster may see a discourse language pathologist or SLP. The SLP will test her discourse and language. Neighborhood early mediation, or EI, projects may see youngsters under 3 years of age. Your kid can get administrations from the EI program. They can recommend exercises that you can do at home to support your kid.
Treatment for Unilateral Hearing Loss
Your kid might have the option to utilize a portable amplifier. It relies upon his age and the measure of hearing misfortune. Your audiologist will enable you to choose what is best for your kid.
Your kid may require discourse and language treatment. An SLP can enable your youngster to figure out how to talk unmistakably.
SLP can instruct your kid to tune in to sounds and find where they originate from. Both audiologists and SLPs can propose approaches to enable your kid to hear at home and at school.
Tips to help children with Unilateral Hearing Loss
There are things that you can do to help your child listen and learn. they include:
- Ensuring that your child is experiencing “good” ear sounds. Think about when you are feeding your baby and when you are in the car.
- Watch your child speak in front of him.
- Discussion about what you are doing. Make statements like, “I’m making a sandwich,” or “It’s a great opportunity to wash the dishes.” It instructs your youngster words and sentences.
- Repeat the words and Listen to the game with your child.
- This may help you to say what you have to say.
- Help your child know where the voice comes from.
- Make sure your child puts the phone in his / her good ear.
- Teach your child to take care of his hearing. Wear earplugs when she is making a loud sound. Make sure that it does not increase the volume too much when using headphones.
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