Hearing Loss

Many parents are concerned about their child's hearing, especially during the early years when infants are unable to communicate verbally. However, most children do not experience hearing problems. Your child's hearing can be evaluated at any age. Today, newborns are routinely tested before leaving the hospital.

Hearing plays a critical role in child development and even mild or partial hearing loss can affect a child's ability to speak and understand language. Detecting hearing loss early allows parents, teachers and doctors the opportunity to better assist the child's development and assess corrective options.

Hearing loss is present at birth in about three out of every 1000 newborns and often is diagnosed during a routine hearing assessment shortly after birth. Hearing loss also can develop later in life for various reasons.

At UCSF Children's Hospital, we use a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate children. Our team of experts includes audiologists, pediatricians, ear, nose and throat specialists called otolaryngologists, speech pathologists, educators, behavioral specialists, occupational and physical therapists, ophthalmologists, psychologists and genetic counselors. In addition, we emphasize the important role of parents and caregivers in assessing and managing hearing loss.

For more information or to make an appointment, please contact:
Audiology Clinic (415) 353-2101

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007