Almost 16,000 babies are born with hearing loss in the U.S. each year. Childhood hearing loss is a life-altering occurrence for a child and his or her parents. In this educational and empathic guidebook, pediatric audiologist Fligor stresses that the aim of testing and intervention is 'breaking down the barriers to normal development' and 'to give the child with hearing loss access to language.' Chapters cover the various causes of childhood hearing loss, different kinds of tests, diagnosis, treatment options, devices (hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing system), and the effects of decreased hearing on a child’s everyday life. Social and emotional isolation are not uncommon. School-age children and teens with hearing loss have a higher risk of being picked on or bullied. Treatment for hearing loss should optimally begin before age six months. Managing hearing loss in children should be family centered and requires teamwork (child, parents, pediatrician, speech-language pathologist, teachers, audiologist, and otolaryngologist). Fligor emphasizes that 'hearing loss is only a characteristic of your child, and not the single thing that defines him.'

Booklist

This book provides an excellent description of childhood hearing loss. Fligor thoroughly and successfully covers a wide range of essential information that parents need in order to make educated decisions about their child's treatment. He discusses topics such as the challenges of gaining insurance coverage for hearing aids, the pros and cons of various treatments, and the importance of early intervention for ideal speech and language development. He also addresses the challenges that both the children and their parents encounter when dealing with hearing loss. Though the author introduces some of his topics as being more technical or difficult, he consistently describes conditions and treatments in easy-to-understand language. His use of visual aids to illustrate hearing loss at different levels is very effective. In addition, Fligor excels at conveying and encouraging empathy for children with hearing loss as well as for their parents. This book is essential not only for parents but also for students, educators, clinicians, and anyone else who works regularly with children with hearing loss. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All readership levels.

Choice Reviews

Written by a pediatric audiologist, Understanding Childhood Hearing Loss offers a comprehensive, yet concise explanation of hearing loss in infants and young children . . . . By compacting all of the essential information about hearing loss, early detection, and treatment in under 200 pages, this book would be an excellent addition to an introduction to deaf education or audiology course.

Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education

[T]his book is a useful read for all professionals involved with hearing impaired children. It gives insight into how parents may view clinic sessions and how we, as clinicians, can help them to understand the hearing loss and the requirement for early intervention in a way that addresses their concerns for their child’s future in a more relevant way. Overall, I would recommend this book for parents and paediatric audiologists, especially those who are less experienced with paediatrics.

ENT & Audiology News

In Understanding Childhood Hearing Loss, Brian Fligor presents a comprehensive overview of childhood deafness in an informative and easy-to-read style. This well-written book provides important information for parents regarding today’s medical treatments and audiologic management options for children with hearing loss. Many of the key topics are enriched through descriptions of the author’s extensive personal experiences as a pediatric audiology specialist.

Jerry L. Northern, PhD, Co-author of Hearing in Children (6th Edition),Professor Emeritus, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO

Dr. Fligor has provided an accessible and comprehensive overview of childhood hearing loss that would be a valuable resource to families as well as anyone who wants to learn more about this topic. He shares a thought-provoking perspective of the diagnostic visit and walks you through the journey with advice to help “break down the barriers” that hearing loss can present. The information he shares about the social emotional aspects of growing up with hearing loss gives essential guidance to families to help support their children in reaching their full potential.

Eileen Rall, AuD, PASC, Audiologist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia