A mild hearing loss is very dangerous, since it is often ignored by parents. Often, it is only in school that the child hearing loss is identified, especially if the notices the child demonstrates learning, speech or attention difficulties. The teacher will notices that the child asks to repeat things that he/she mixes up sounds, that he/she is distracted, etc.

Annie is a 9 years old who does not hear very well. She is not hearing impaired. She answers when being called, and understands when being spoken to, as long as she can see the speaker's face. However, her behavior is different than that of her peers. Her teacher realized that Annie does not always hear the directions or the other children, especially when there is a lot of background noise. Annie has a mild hearing loss.

In Quebec, an estimated 10% of children aged 0-11 suffer from a mild hearing loss related to middle ear infection. It is obviously desirable that a child be identified as soon as possible (before the age of two), in order to avoid language and learning difficulties.

In certain cases, hearing aids can help a child through the intensive learning period which months the early childhood years. When the child starts school, the recommendations, such as the use of FM system or certain communicative strategies, can serve to reduce the difficulties that the child might be facing. For more information talk to an audiologist, the specialist in hearing disorders.