By Cathleen Mathes, President & CEO, John Tracy Center
When a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, families are often thrust into an unfamiliar world of audiograms, technology, and intervention services. Yet, early diagnosis, combined with compassionate, family-centered programs, offers children with hearing loss the opportunity to develop listening and spoken language skills that allow them to reach their full potential. With advances in technology and increased access to resources, families today can look forward to a future filled with possibilities.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
Hearing plays a critical role in a child’s brain development and ability to learn language. The earlier hearing loss is identified, the sooner families can act to provide their child with access to sound. Universal Newborn Hearing Screenings now ensure most children are tested before leaving the hospital, with results categorized as “pass” or “refer.” Babies referred for further testing should have a comprehensive evaluation by three months of age. Early intervention, ideally before six months, provides a significant advantage during the critical period of auditory brain development, helping children reach essential listening and language milestones.
Modern diagnostic tools, such as Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE), allow audiologists to measure hearing even in newborns. For older infants and toddlers, behavioral testing methods like Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) provide accurate results in a child-friendly manner. These diagnostic tools help families understand their child’s hearing levels and explore solutions tailored to their needs and their family goals.
Family-Centered Programs: Navigating the Emotional Journey
Receiving a hearing loss diagnosis can bring a wave of emotions—shock, denial, fear, and hope. Each family member may process the news differently, and it takes time to adjust. Compassionate, family-centered programs provide emotional support while equipping parents with tools and information to guide their child’s journey.
Parents play a vital role as the leaders of their child’s educational and hearing health needs. Finding programs that emphasize parent education will help empower families to make informed decisions about hearing technology and educational options. When families are empowered to ask questions, seek guidance, and collaborate with professionals they then can develop a personalized plan for their child.
Programs that are family-centered also help families create a language-rich environment at home. From narrating daily routines to reading aloud, parents can build their child’s listening and spoken language skills, laying a foundation for future success.
The Role of Technology in Unlocking Possibilities
Advances in hearing technology have transformed the lives of children who are deaf and hard of hearing. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and assistive devices now provide consistent access to sound, enabling children to hear, listen, and learn. For children diagnosed with profound hearing loss, cochlear implants can be life-changing, particularly when provided before 12 months of age. Research shows that early access to sound fosters auditory brain development, helping children achieve listening and spoken language abilities comparable to their hearing peers.
Regular hearing evaluations and technology monitoring are essential to ensure devices function properly. Audiologists work closely with families to optimize hearing technology and make adjustments as children grow and their needs change. By combining technology with family-centered support, children are equipped to meet developmental milestones and enter school with confidence.
A Path Forward: Hope for Families
The journey from diagnosis to thriving is unique for every family, but with early identification, technology, and compassionate support, children with hearing loss can reach their full potential. Family-centered programs not only address practical needs but also provide the emotional encouragement families need to move forward. Parents become empowered advocates, helping their children access resources, develop communication skills, and build bright futures.
In today’s world, having a hearing difference no longer means limited opportunities. When provided with appropriate support, resources, and care, children who are deaf and hard of hearing can achieve academic success, participate fully in their communities, and embrace a future filled with promise.
About John Tracy Center:
The mission of John Tracy Center is to provide parent-centered services locally and globally to children with hearing loss, offering families hope, guidance, and encouragement. JTC is recognized as the leader in early childhood listening and spoken language education, one of the top three centers for pediatric audiology in the Los Angeles area, and the world’s largest private provider of services to young children with, or at risk of, hearing loss.
References:
John Tracy Center. (2019). Understanding Your Child’s Hearing Tests. Retrieved from JTC.org.
John Tracy Center. (2019). Where to Begin: Practical First Steps for Families. Retrieved from JTC.org.
John Tracy Center. (2019). Feelings About Identification of Hearing Loss in Child. Retrieved from JTC.org.