Babies or toddlers can’t express themselves which can make it difficult to spot hearing or vision problems. However, by paying attention to some early warning signs you can spot such problems easier. Early detection is key to keeping the development of your baby on track.
Here are some signs that can help you spot vision and hearing problems in your baby or toddler.
You can also arrange for a screening at a pediatric center in Alpharetta, GA to pinpoint the concerns and get it addressed as soon as possible.
Spotting Vision Problems in Babies and Toddlers
Newborn babies have a mostly blurry vision but as they grow it starts to clear up. By the time your baby is 1 or 2 months old, they should be able to make eye contact and develop a social smile.
And by the time your baby is 3 months old, they should be able to track objects moving across their field of vision.
Vision problems are very common in school-age children. A common sign is when a child has trouble reading the board when sitting at the back of a classroom.
With nearsightedness or myopia, children have trouble seeing distant objects. Another common vision problem in children is farsightedness when they can’t see objects in front of them clearly. This can make reading difficult as words appear blurry.
Many other eye problems can also affect children. That’s why you should have their eyes examined regularly.
Common signs of eye problems in children include:
- Bulging eyes
- Redness that doesn’t go away
- Constant eye pain or itching
- Watery eyes
- Light sensitivity
Spotting Hearing Loss in Babies
A newborn hearing screening is performed at the hospital to detect any hearing loss. As per the American Academy of Pediatrics hearing of a newborn must be checked in the first month of life. The screening only takes a few minutes and is often done while the baby is asleep.
However, if the baby doesn’t pass the screening, it doesn’t mean that they have hearing abnormalities. Fluid or vernix can get trapped in a baby’s ear which will be drained by your provider before repeating the test. If the screening fails even after draining the fluid, your baby will be referred to an audiologist.
Your child’s pediatrician will also perform hearing testing regularly to assess their language development.
Hearing problems can also develop later in a child, there are some warning signs to identify hearing loss:
- Not being startled by loud sounds
- Not turning toward a sound
- Not responding to their name
Conclusion
As a parent, it is important to pay attention to the warning signs to keep the development of your child on track. Your pediatrician will also perform different types of hearing and vision tests. These tests based on the age and development stage of your baby help determine hearing and vision problems. At Sun Pediatrics, we are your trusted pediatric center in Alpharetta providing comprehensive pediatric medical care. Our latest lab technology and highly trained staff ensure accurate results. Perform a comprehensive vision and hearing screening at Sun Pediatrics to assess your child’s vision and hearing ability.
