Your child's hearing

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Hearing loss

In this section, you can learn more about hearing loss, the tests used to diagnose a hearing loss and how the audiologists and doctors describe the type and severity of a hearing loss.

Causes of hearing loss

One of the first questions parents ask when their baby is diagnosed with a hearing loss is “Why?” Find out about the main causes of hearing loss and the tests done to find a possible cause.

Hearing aids

Hearing aids are provided free of charge to all children in Australia. Digital technology allows each hearing aid to be programmed to suit your child’s hearing needs.

Cochlear implants

Cochlear implants provide a sensation of hearing to children who have permanent severe to profound deafness and cannot hear the full range of speech sounds with hearing aids.

Other implantable devices

There are a number of other implantable devices for different types and causes of hearing loss.

Assistive listening devices

Assistive listening devices stream the sound directly to the hearing aids and cochlear implants. They improve the listening experience in many situations – at home and school.

Adolescents and young adults

For a teenager to be willing to wear hearing devices, he needs to understand the importance to his future, and be armed with the attitude and confidence to wear them.

Mild hearing loss

If your child has just been diagnosed with a mild hearing loss, there are many things to consider when deciding which course of action is best for your child and your family.

Unilateral hearing loss

The management of UHL is changing as more is learnt about the issues experienced by children with UHL.

Deaf children with additional needs

Your deaf child may also be diagnosed with additional needs that require more specialised support.

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder

ANSD is a particular type of hearing problem where sounds are not transmitted normally from the cochlea, or along the auditory nerve, to the brain.