Hearing Loss in Children with Down Syndrome – The children born with Down’s syndrome struggle with developmental delays, intellectual disability, and an increased risk for certain medical issues. The genetic disorder also makes them susceptible to having an impaired hearing ability. This is usually caused due to narrow ear canals and serous otitis media or fluid in the middle ear. Learning about Hearing Loss in Children with Down Syndrome can better prepare the parents to deal with the healing loss and get access to the best hearing aid available.
The blog digs deeper into Down syndrome and its effect on the hearing abilities of children, different types of hearing disabilities in Down syndrome, and insights into choosing the best hearing aid for Down syndrome babies. It deeply covers hearing loss in children with Down syndrome and makes you well-versed in dealing with it, using an informative and tested approach to managing hearing loss.
Different Types of Hearing Loss Seen in Children With Down Syndrome
Infants born with Down Syndrome are required to take a newborn hearing screen before they are even discharged from the newborn nursery. After this initial screening, the hearing test should be conducted again at 6 months with a test called an audiogram. The test shall be taken at the cycle of 6 months until the normal hearing is confirmed in both ears. Children with Down syndrome are usually prone to having two different types of hearing loss. These two types of hearing loss are Conductive Hearing Loss and Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL).
Conductive hearing loss is caused by difficulty in the middle ear infection, fluid in the middle ears, or wax build-up. Whereas, Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) is caused due to problems in the inner ear. Go through the table below to learn more about the differences between the Conductive Hearing Loss and Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) in children with Down syndrome.
| Feature | Conductive Hearing Loss | Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Usually due to blockages or structural abnormalities in the outer or middle ear (e.g., ear infections, fluid in the ear, or malformations). | Results from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or the auditory nerve, often related to the aging process, noise exposure, or genetic factors. |
| Prevalence in Children with Down Syndrome | Common due to frequent ear infections and Eustachian tube dysfunction. | Less common, but can occur due to genetic predispositions or other factors. |
| Hearing Aid Effectiveness | Generally responds well to hearing aids or surgical interventions. | Hearing aids may help, but cochlear implants may be necessary in severe cases. |
| Prognosis | Often treatable and potentially reversible with medical or surgical intervention. | Typically permanent and irreversible, requiring long-term management. |
| Impact on Speech and Language Development | Can delay speech and language development, but early intervention often leads to improvement. | May have a more significant impact on speech and language development due to the permanent nature of the loss. |
| Diagnostic Methods | Otoscopy, tympanometry, and audiometry are commonly used for diagnosis. | Diagnosed through audiometry, otoacoustic emissions (OAE), and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. |
Best Hearing Aid Treatments for Children With the Down Syndrome
Though hearing aids are inevitable in children with Down syndrome, they can be managed using the right hearing aid or treatment. The hearing loss in children with Down syndrome can be conductive, sensorineural, or mixed, and may be temporary or permanent. The treatment is highly specific and depends on various factors.
Many studies also support that using a suitable hearing aid can significantly improve the overall hearing experience of Down syndrome children. Using standard hearing assessments such as distraction, speech discrimination, pure tone audiometry (play or standard) or visual reinforcement audiometry when carried out by testers with expertise in working with people with learning disability is sufficient to identify the appropriate hearing aid for the Down Syndrome Children.
Best Hearing Aids for Children With the Down Syndrome
| Type of Hearing Aid | Design | Benefits | Consideration for Down Syndrome Children |
| Bone-Anchored Hearing Systems (BAHS) | Transmits sound through the bones of the skull to the inner ear | Effective for conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness. | Ideal for children who cannot use traditional hearing aids due to ear malformations or chronic infections. |
| In-the-Ear (ITE) | Fits directly in the outer ear, custom-molded to fit the child’s ear. | Easier for older children to insert/remove, tailored for comfort. | Recommended for older children due to ear growth in younger children. |
| Behind-the-Ear (BTE) | Sits behind the ear, the sound is delivered through a tube connected to an earmold. | Easily adjustable, durable, and compatible with assistive listening devices. | Widely recommended for children due to its adjustability as they grow. |
| Cochlear Implants | For severe to profound hearing loss, bypasses damaged ear parts and stimulates the auditory nerve. | Significantly aids in speech and language development. | Best suited for children who do not benefit from traditional hearing aids, especially when implanted early. |
A Look At Various Hearing Assessments for Hearing Loss in Children with Down Syndrome
After learning about the wide range of hearing aids it is important to learn more about the hearing assessments for Down syndrome. These hearing assessments should be conducted in a properly equipped and staffed audiology center to follow the standard procedures. Zeneth Healthcare is one of the best hearing aid centers in India offering a wide range of speech assessments. At Zeneth Healthcare there is a professional and qualified staff highly experienced to handle the kids with special needs. The wide range of tests used for the hearing assessment are briefed below:
- Pure tone audiometry to test the hearing abilities using a chart called audiogram.
- Oto-Acoustic Emission Test’ (OAE) curated for young adults to test certain sounds
- Tympanometry, also known as Impedance or Compliance testing to assess the movements of the ear drum under test conditions.
Conclusion
Hearing loss in Down syndrome is unavoidable, however, it can be treated using suitable hearing treatments. Hearing loss can be of different types and can be caused by various genetic abnormalities. You can also connect with Zeneth Healthcare for the best prices on hearing aids and other hearing assessments.
