“My son was born with slight hearing loss. Will he have a speech problem as well?”
My son is currently 2 years old and was born with slight hearing loss. He has been babbling but hasn't spoken any words yet. Does it mean he will also have speech problems?
17 Answers
Jasmine Christion
Speech-Language Pathologist
While there is a wealth of information regarding hearing lost and its affects on speech, I strongly recommend having him evaluated by a license speech-language pathologist. We as humans learn sounds and words from what we hear and what we are exposed to. Since he hasn't turned his babbles into words, early intervention would be good to start to help him catch up to his age level. His hearing loss doesn't mean he will have speech problems, however his speech may be delay due to the hearing loss and he hasn't been hearing sounds correctly.
You don’t say whether your son’s hearing loss is in one ear or both. If it is a “slight” loss in one ear, the answer is probably not. If it is in both ears, maybe, depending on what “slight” means. If your otolaryngologist, hopefully one who specializes in the ears, has not recommended that you take your son to an audiologist, then don’t worry at this point. Two years old, especially early in his second year, boys sometimes don’t begin speaking words until later in their second year. However, it definitely can’t hurt to have an evaluation by a speech pathologist who specializes in early intervention. If there is a college or university nearby who gives a diploma in speech/language/audiology pathology at the master’s level, this would be the best option. If not, check with your local education department for a recommendation. Reading to your son on a daily basis is also important to do.
Good luck, and best wishes.
Darrell Lauer, m.m., ms, ccc/slp
Good luck, and best wishes.
Darrell Lauer, m.m., ms, ccc/slp
Not necessarily but hearing loss does affect the way individuals hear/perceive sounds therefore, it may have an effect on the way he says words and sounds in words.
Hello,
I cannot predict if he will have issues with speech (articulation). From your description, it sounds like there could be a need for language development. From birth, children are soaking up language like a sponge. We have to hear see (sign) language to attach a meaning to it before speaking. Since he has born with a hearing loss, it is a possibility that he missed some language exposure. Contact his primary care physician and request a referral for a speech and language evaluation. If he has not had his ears checked in awhile, inquire about that as well. You are doing an awesome job advocating for your child! Keep up the good work!
I cannot predict if he will have issues with speech (articulation). From your description, it sounds like there could be a need for language development. From birth, children are soaking up language like a sponge. We have to hear see (sign) language to attach a meaning to it before speaking. Since he has born with a hearing loss, it is a possibility that he missed some language exposure. Contact his primary care physician and request a referral for a speech and language evaluation. If he has not had his ears checked in awhile, inquire about that as well. You are doing an awesome job advocating for your child! Keep up the good work!
When kids have hearing loss that isn't aided, it is likely that they may have speech and/or language problems. Hearing loss sometimes prevents individuals from hearing all speech sounds which can negatively impact speech and language.
Hearing loss is highly associated with speech impairments. In addition by the age of two he should be formulating words and short phrases. I suggest to get a speech and Language evaluation as soon as possible. I am impressed that with history of hearing loss your pediatrician/audiologist hasn’t recommended a speech and Language specialist to help him with language development.
Children with hearing loss can have difficulty with speech and language due to the fact that they are not hearing sounds and words as accurately as a child with normal hearing; it may sound muffled, like they are hearing something underwater, or they may not hear certain sounds at all unless spoken at a much louder volume. Speech therapy can help remediate expressive language difficulties due to hearing loss.
I would recommend your son sees a speech therapist to rule out delays. At 2 years of age with a slight hearing loss, it is expected his speech will be delayed; however, it is best he be seen by an SLP to learn strategies.
Cara M. Gelbart
Speech-Language Pathologist
I cannot predict for certain whether your son with have speech difficulties. Each case is unique. I can say that it is likely, because the way he hears sounds will be distorted, possibly affecting his feedback loop and how he will be able to self-monitor his own sound productions.
Hello,
The question is rather vague because a lot depends on which frequencies are affected by the hearing loss. If the speech frequencies are affected (500Hz, 1k and 2k), then it is more than likely that overall speech will be affected. Is the child already fitted with hearing aides? If inadequate stimulation (in terms of hearing or caregiver stimulation), then a delay in language is to be expected. If only high frequencies are affected, then difficulty saying sounds like s/sh/etc. will be there later in age (after 5years) if hearing loss is not addressed.
Hope this answers some concerns.
Best regards,
Priya Nalla
The question is rather vague because a lot depends on which frequencies are affected by the hearing loss. If the speech frequencies are affected (500Hz, 1k and 2k), then it is more than likely that overall speech will be affected. Is the child already fitted with hearing aides? If inadequate stimulation (in terms of hearing or caregiver stimulation), then a delay in language is to be expected. If only high frequencies are affected, then difficulty saying sounds like s/sh/etc. will be there later in age (after 5years) if hearing loss is not addressed.
Hope this answers some concerns.
Best regards,
Priya Nalla
Please get him evaluated for speech services and bring medical forms from hearing evaluation.
Hello,
I would definitely recommend having him monitored by an audiologist for his hearing loss. For his speech, though, I’d recommend being evaluated by a speech-language pathologist to see if they have concerns, or believe he may need intervention.
Adrianna Sulaica, Au.D., CCC-A
I would definitely recommend having him monitored by an audiologist for his hearing loss. For his speech, though, I’d recommend being evaluated by a speech-language pathologist to see if they have concerns, or believe he may need intervention.
Adrianna Sulaica, Au.D., CCC-A
Consider amplification so he has access to all sounds. Were hearing aids suggested? Hearing should be tested regularly to monitor any changes. Was cause of hearing loss determined? Type and degree of hearing loss will determine how often Hearing will need to be tested and if amplification will help. Many young children get ear infections that can usually be treated and therefor is temporary. If temporary hearing loss, speech should not be effected.
Terlenda Lassiter
Speech-Language Pathologist
Hello. Before I begin my response to your question, please note I am a medical speech language pathologist. We are required to complete a Bachelor's, Master's, 9-month externship, and then apply for certification. While we are trained specialist within the domain of medicine and healthcare, we are not physicians. I am not a doctor. Now....
Regarding the hearing loss, is it conductive or sensorineural hearing loss? Because a lot of the sounds we imitate come from what we hear, hearing difficulty can impact how he is interpreting the sounds and what he says subsequently. Has he been to an audiologist yet for a follow up? My recommendation to you at this time is for him to see a pediatric audiologist and potential speech language pathologist for an evaluation and aural rehabilitation, if appropriate.
Regarding the hearing loss, is it conductive or sensorineural hearing loss? Because a lot of the sounds we imitate come from what we hear, hearing difficulty can impact how he is interpreting the sounds and what he says subsequently. Has he been to an audiologist yet for a follow up? My recommendation to you at this time is for him to see a pediatric audiologist and potential speech language pathologist for an evaluation and aural rehabilitation, if appropriate.
Hi! By the age of two, a child should be speaking and have at least 250 words. It sounds like he may have a speech issue. Have you gotten him assessed yet and if not, I truly believe you should. It is great that you to caught this issue early. I would suggest that you get him assessed by an SLP for sure. Also what is being done for his hearing? What kind of hearing loss is it- sensorineural (life long) or conductive (temporary)? That issue needs to be addressed as well through your audiologist.
Hope that helped. Have a great day!
Hope that helped. Have a great day!
Syed S. Ahmed
Speech-Language Pathologist
Mild hearing loss does not lead to speech impediment. I would suggest to consult an Audiology Clinic for hearing assessment. If you do not have an Audiologist around, consult a Pediatrician. Besides behavioral assessment, they can get an ABR/BERA done at a Neurology Lab.
Kind regards,
Syed Ahmed
Kind regards,
Syed Ahmed
Tara Helwig
Speech-Language Pathologist
It is best to see a Speech-Language Pathologist right away to have an evaluation done to determine a speech-language delay.
