What Makes a Pediatric Audiologist Unique?

Audiologists are trained to treat all patients, from newborns to the elderly. In fact, one of the key job duties of an audiologist is to assist in early diagnosis and prevention. While all audiologists are trained to work with people of all ages, some choose to specialize and focus only on pediatric issues. This is actually a welcome for most parents as it can take a certain disposition to work with children.  

Purpose of pediatric audiologist

A pediatric audiologist’s main purpose is the early detection and treatment of hearing loss in children. They are trained to provide healthcare services to children of all ages, from newborns to toddlers to school-age children. Pediatric audiologists often have offices that are kid-friendly. Instead of stark white walls, their offices are painted in bright or soothing colors and have many toys and objects to help children feel welcome. Pediatric audiologists are also trained in how to communicate with children in order for them to feel safe enough to explain their hearing issues.  

Children’s ear anatomy

While children and adults have the same basic anatomy, children’s ears are just plain smaller than adults. Children are also still growing and developing and a pediatric audiologist is aware of this. With the use of special instruments specifically designed for children of all ages, a pediatric audiologist is prepared.  

Communication and children

Newborns and toddlers usually can’t communicate their hearing abilities. Even toddlers are often not aware that they are experiencing hearing issues because to them, their hearing is like everyone else’s hearing. Pediatric audiologists are trained to conduct tests that help find hearing issues without specific clues. As for older children, they may be aware that something is wrong with their hearing, but may be too shy to discuss it and feel like an outsider for being different. Pediatric audiologists can ask the right questions in the right setting to lessen the anxiety of children.  

Working with parents

Often, it is a parent that will first notice if their child’s hearing is an issue and not the child. Pediatric audiologists are aware of how important parental input is. They work with parents and make sure that parents and children are educated on types of hearing loss, treatment options and any other relative information. Often hearing issues can be harder on a parent than a child and pediatric audiologists are sympathetic to this.  

Connecting development 

Pediatric audiologists are aware that hearing health is important not just for the sake of hearing, but also for the development of language. If a child can’t hear properly then they won’t know how to best pronounce words as they learn them. Delayed speech is often a sign of a hearing problem because children aren’t able to hear words and know which word is used when.  

Hearing loss can also mean that a child is fundamentally different, which unfortunately often translates to social issues and possibly being ostracized. Pediatric audiologists are aware that social skills and even learning can be impaired due to hearing loss. As a result, they are quick to offer recommendations for extra therapy to improve these important early skills.