How to identify hearing loss in your child

SAN ANTONIO – For a child with hearing loss, the first few months of their life can shape their language skills.

Belinda Pustka, executive director at Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children, said that early identification is essential in treating children with hearing loss or deafness.

Hearing loss detection can begin as early as the first month of an infant’s life.

New parents should pay special attention to warning signs that could point to hearing problems. Some of these signs include delayed language and your child being non-responsive to loud sounds.

“Anything that would indicate that your baby is not hearing, take it very seriously,” Pustka said.

Newborns can also receive a screening test as early as the first few weeks of their life.

The Sunshine Cottage offers a free parent-infant program that can be extremely beneficial to families. This program teaches parents useful skills for raising a child with hearing loss, such as creating a language-rich environment and how to advocate for their child.

If you suspect that your child may have hearing loss, or if you want more information about the services the Sunshine Cottage provides, call 210-824-0579 or visit SunshineCottage.org.