Health Tip: Have Your Child's Hearing Checked

When to see an audiologist

March 16, 2009 RSS Feed Print

(HealthDay News) -- Children need regular hearing tests to help identify any hearing problems before they worsen.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has issued guidelines for when school-age children should have their hearing examined.

A hearing test should be performed:

Before children start school, and each year beginning with kindergarten through the third grade. The test should be repeated when children are in the seventh and 11th grades.
If concerns arise about a child's language, speech, learning or hearing capabilities.
If a family history of hereditary hearing loss exists, particularly later in life.
If there are persistent ear infections.
If there are problems with the skull or face that may affect hearing, or an injury to the head that rendered the child unconscious.
If there are other factors that could lead to hearing loss, such as being exposed repeatedly to very loud noise.