What is the frequency of occurrence of permanent hearing loss in children with recurrent ear infections?
There is no clear cut answer to that question. There is some evidence in certain studies that children with histories of middle ear fluid can develop ultra high frequency hearing loss (above 8000 Hz). The frequencies critical for understanding speech are 500-4000 Hz. However, this does not mean that all children with middle ear fluid will develop such a loss. What is clear, though, is that it will be important for your child to have routine audiologic care so that if a permanent hearing loss does develop you will be able to begin remediation as quickly as possible. COMPILED AND ANSWERED BY: KELLY CHASTAIN, M.A. CCC-A, AUDIOLOGIST.
