Hearing Loss: Struggling Students

Students may have Poor Academic Performance due to Hearing Loss

Do you have a student who is struggling in class?

Do they interfere during class and have a hard time concentrating? 

Hearing loss is usually left out as a culpable reason for these struggles. Hearing loss, no matter how mild, can impact a student’s academic achievements.

Hearing loss is just as common in adults, as it is in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 15% of children who are between the ages of 6-19 experience low or high-frequency hearing loss of at least 16-decibels in one or both ears. Research has indicated nearly 35% of adolescents with equal ranges of unilateral hearing loss are at risk of failing a grade level in school.      

Your child may have hearing loss, if they exhibit any of the following behaviors:

• Daydreaming
• Inability to focus
• Problems with speech
• Struggling to understand directions   

When it comes to hearing loss, it is important to seek guidance and treatment from a professional.

Students who experience mild to moderate hearing loss, and do not get treatment, will not be able to keep up with their peers by one to four grade levels. Students with more severe hearing loss that goes untreated, usually do not achieve beyond levels of the third grade. 

Learning and Hearing Loss     

Being able to hear is very important in the developing stages of communication, language, and speech. Hearing problems can slow down a student’s progress while learning, which results in unsatisfactory academic performance.  

Subjects that revolve around language might be the most difficult for students who have hearing loss. It can be difficult to follow assignments that require learning a language, especially if you cannot hear high-frequency consonants such as ch, f, k, p, s, sh, t, and th sounds. 

Actively participating in conversations is difficult with hearing loss. The inability to properly communicate with others can be discouraging and complicated for a child with hearing loss - and their peers - to understand. This can lead to isolation and depression. Oftentimes, these children cannot catch up to their peers when it comes to socializing in a mature manner, which can make them feel out of place.   

Studies indicate early intervention, and treatment for hearing loss can improve a child’s academics and social life. A study from 2015 showed that adolescents who had severe hearing loss generally had lower scores than their peers with normal hearing. Children with hearing loss, who received treatment with hearing aids or cochlear implants, and more involvement from their parents had better results.           

If you or a child in your family experience hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation.

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