Pediatric Oncology
Education Materials

Hearing

Therapy

Management of established hearing impairments

If hearing loss is detected following cancer treatment, it is important to have it assessed, monitored, and managed by an audiologist.  Hearing loss can interfere with a person's ability to communicate and carry out daily activities socially, educationally, and vocationally.  Younger children with hearing loss for example are at a higher risk for school, learning, speech and language problems, and social difficulties than their age appropriate peers.  As such, it is beneficial that a hearing loss, if present, is diagnosed and managed promptly and effectively so that delays in these areas are less likely.  Further, listening and communication difficulties should be managed in efforts to help maintain quality of life.

Often there are a team of professionals, particularly with children and or young adults, involved to assist a person with the communication difficulties and challenges arising from a hearing loss.  These professionals may include an otologist, physician, audiologist, educational audiologist, teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, speech language pathologist, social worker, and psychologist. All members of a team work collaboratively to help support and assist a person with hearing loss and help manage communication issues related to the hearing loss.  The amount of care and support needed varies from one person to the next.

Hearing loss classification system used for management:

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