Question
What should be done when a one-year-old child is found to be deaf?
Answer
For a one-year-old child diagnosed with congenital deafness, a detailed medical examination should be conducted first. Based on the examination results, wearing hearing aids can be considered. Generally, hearing aids are suitable for children with an average language frequency hearing loss between 35 and 80 decibels. Children with hearing loss around 60 decibels tend to experience the best results. For children with unilateral hearing loss, it is usually not necessary to wear hearing aids. For children with bilateral hearing loss, if the degree of loss in both ears is similar, dual hearing aids or alternating use of single hearing aids can be considered. If the degree of hearing loss in one ear is significantly greater but both are above 50 decibels, a hearing aid should be provided for the ear with poorer hearing. If one ear has a hearing loss below 50 decibels, then a hearing aid should be provided for the better-hearing ear.