Kids start getting hearing tests soon after they're born. But sometimes the signs of hearing loss may not show up until later. Dr. Samantha Anne, who specializes in pediatric hearing loss at Cleveland Clinic Children's, says the signs are often subtle.
"The child may not react when they call their name. They may not look when the door is shut and they hear a sound, so subtle things may come up like that," she said.
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Aanne says an infant hearing test is typically where the first signs of hearing loss will show up, but a mild hearing loss may take years to pick up. She says a milder form of hearing loss is usually discovered when there is a delay in the child's speech.
For example, by age 2, Anne says children should be putting two words together.
she says other parents may not notice it until they hear their child speak while in the midst of other kids their age.
Anne says detecting hearing loss early in a child is critical.
"The earlier you detect the hearing loss and the earlier you get the hearing aid fitting and start speech and language therapy the better the children are doing over a long time, a long period of time," Anne explained.
She says if you have any questions about your child's hearing you can present them to your pediatrician, who might refer you to a specialist if it's appropriate.
Learn more about the causes of hearing loss from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.