As a paediatric ENT surgeon, I regularly see children with hearing difficulties — from babies who didn’t pass their newborn screening to older children who aren’t responding well in the classroom. Hearing loss can affect children at any age, and early diagnosis is key to supporting their speech, language and social development.
Hearing Loss
There are two main types of hearing loss in children:
- Sensorineural hearing loss (sometimes called “nerve deafness”), which is caused by damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve. This type is usually permanent and may be present from birth or acquired later (for example, after meningitis)
- Conductive hearing loss, most commonly caused by glue ear — a build-up of fluid in the middle ear. This is usually temporary and treatable.
Some children may have a combination of both types, known as mixed hearing loss.
Hearing Loss & Common Causes
Common causes of hearing loss include:
- Ear wax – a degree of wax is normal, but in some children this can build up excessively and prevent sound from reaching the eardrum.
- Glue ear is the most frequent cause of temporary hearing loss in young children
- Ear infections, especially if recurrent or untreated
- Serious infections such as meningitis or cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Sensorineural hearing loss from damage in the cochlea or hearing nerve
- Genetic conditions — even if there’s no family history
- Noise exposure, head injury or certain medications can also cause hearing loss, although these are less common in children
All babies in the UK should be offered newborn hearing screening shortly after birth. This helps identify congenital (from birth) hearing loss early, even in babies who don’t appear to be at risk.
However, hearing can change over time — so it’s important to arrange further testing if there are any concerns, especially before starting school.
In some cases, no clear cause is found — but that doesn’t stop us from supporting your child’s hearing function and development.
Diagnosis
When I see your child in clinic, I’ll begin by listening carefully to your concerns — whether it’s delayed speech, inattentiveness or a failed hearing screen.
- I’ll examine your child’s ears using either an otoscope, endoscope or microscope to check for wax, fluid or signs of infection. These tests can all be done from my consulting room.
- I’ll arrange a hearing test with a paediatric audiologist. These are tailored to your child’s age — from gentle brainwave tests in babies to fun, play-based assessments for toddlers and older children.
- We may also use tympanometry to check how well the eardrum is moving — this helps detect fluid behind the ear.
- If I suspect glue ear or nasal issues, I may recommend a naso-endoscopy to assess the adenoids.
- In cases of suspected sensorineural hearing loss, I’ll work closely with paediatric audiology teams and may refer to a cochlear implant centre if appropriate.
Getting a clear diagnosis early allows us to plan the right support — whether that’s monitoring, medical treatment or hearing technology.
Treatments
Treatment depends on the type and cause of hearing loss.
- For conductive hearing loss (e.g. glue ear):
Some cases resolve on their own, especially if mild. If hearing is significantly affected, we may recommend Grommet surgery to drain fluid and ventilate the middle ear. Read more about Grommet surgery here - For sensorineural hearing loss:
This type of hearing loss is usually permanent. I will work closely with audiologists, speech and language therapists, and cochlear implant teams to ensure your child gets the right support.- Most children benefit from hearing aids, which can be fitted from a very young age.
- In more severe cases, cochlear implants may be considered. These are small electronic devices placed in the inner ear to directly stimulate the hearing nerve.
Whatever the cause, early intervention makes a huge difference — helping your child develop speech, confidence and connection with the world around them.
Make an Enquiry
If you’re concerned about your child’s hearing — whether they didn’t pass a screening, aren’t responding to sounds, or have delayed speech — I can help. As a paediatric ENT specialist, I’ll carry out a thorough assessment and guide you through the next steps. Early support can make all the difference to your child’s development.
