Hearing loss in children is more common than you think.

As a parent, you watch closely for every milestone — first words, first steps, first day of school. But one thing that often gets overlooked is hearing. Because unlike a fever or a rash, hearing loss in children can be surprisingly easy to miss.

It is estimated that at least 1 to 2 babies per 1,000 births are born with moderate to profound permanent hearing loss. But many more develop hearing difficulties in their early years — often due to ear infections, fluid in the middle ear, or other causes that can go unnoticed for months or even years.

The truth is, the earlier a hearing loss is identified, the better it is for a child’s language, learning and overall development. And yet many children reach school age with an undetected hearing problem that has quietly been holding them back.

The signs can look like something else entirely.

This is where it gets tricky. In older children, hearing problems can sometimes be confused with behavioural issues. A child who seems inattentive, easily distracted, or slow to follow instructions in class may not have a behaviour problem at all — they may simply not be hearing clearly.

Other signs to watch for include:

• Delayed speech or unclear pronunciation

• Asking you to repeat yourself often

• Turning the TV up loud

• Not responding when called from another room

• Struggling at school despite trying hard

• Seeming tired or frustrated after a day of listening

Ear infections are a common culprit.

Ear infections are common in small children, and can cause temporary hearing loss due to fluid in the middle ear. While this often resolves on its own, repeated or prolonged episodes can affect speech and language development during critical learning years.

What does a children’s hearing test involve?

At Canberra Audiology we see children from 9 months of age. Our audiologists are experienced in making hearing tests child-friendly and stress-free. The type of test used depends on the age of the child:

• For very young children (9 months – 3 years), we use Visual Reinforcement Audiometry — your child responds to sounds and is rewarded with an animated toy
• For children aged 3–6, we use Play Audiometry — hearing testing turned into an engaging game
• For school-age children, we use standard Pure Tone Audiometry adapted for their age

The whole appointment is calm, gentle and tailored to your child’s age and comfort level. Parents are always welcome to stay throughout.

When should you get your child’s hearing tested?

You don’t need a referral, and you don’t need to wait until there is an obvious problem. Consider booking a hearing check if:

• You have any gut feeling that something isn’t quite right
• Your child has had recurring ear infections
• Their speech development seems delayed
• Their teacher has raised concerns about attention or learning
• There is a family history of hearing loss

When in doubt, get it checked. A hearing test is quick, painless and could make an enormous difference to your child’s future.

What should you do?

If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, please don’t wait and see. At Canberra Audiology we offer paediatric hearing assessments for children from 9 months to 15 years. Our team will give you clear answers and guide you through next steps — with no pressure and no jargon.