Children's Hearing Health: What Parents Should Know

Children's hearing is crucial for speech development, learning, and social interaction. Early detection of hearing problems makes a significant difference to outcomes.

Newborn Hearing Screening All UK babies receive newborn hearing screening within days of birth. However, hearing loss can develop later in childhood.

Signs of Hearing Problems in Children Not responding to their name by 12 months, delayed speech development, speaking loudly, turning up TV volume, inattentiveness, and frequent ear infections all warrant investigation.

Common Childhood Hearing Issues Glue ear (otitis media with effusion): Fluid buildup behind the eardrum, extremely common in young children. Ear infections: Recurrent infections can affect hearing temporarily or permanently. Congenital hearing loss: Present from birth, often genetic.

When to Seek Help If you have concerns about your child's hearing, do not wait — speak with your GP, health visitor, or school nurse for a referral to an NHS paediatric audiology service.

Please note: At Wootton Hearing Care, we do not do hearing screening or tests for children under 19. Our hearing assessments and consultations are exclusively for adults aged 19 and over.

Protecting Young Ears Limit headphone volume to 60% maximum, ensure regular hearing breaks, use volume-limiting headphones, and protect ears at loud events with child-sized ear defenders.

For adult hearing assessments (ages 19+) in Northampton, contact Wootton Hearing Care. For children's hearing concerns, please consult your GP or NHS paediatric services.