Child Delayed in Speech? Watch for Early Signs of Hearing Problems
Delayed speech in children is often considered a normal part of development. However, health experts warn that early speech disorders can be strong indicators of serious hearing problems, especially for children who have not undergone newborn hearing screening.
An ENT specialist from Dr Cipto Mangunkusumo National Public General Hospital (RSCM) Kencana, Dr Fikry Hamdan Yasin, explained that speech development hinges on optimal hearing.
According to Fikry, parents should be keen to observe their child’s vocal development. One of the most noticeable signs is the ability to babble.
“Usually in children who have congenital deafness or ear problems, speech development is affected as well. For example, at six to eight months they may not be able to babble or coo. Or they may not yet be able to say words that are repeated like ‘mama’, ‘papa’,” he said during a health education session via the official Instagram account of RSCM Kencana.
This link arises because hearing is the primary sense that supports the ability to perceive sounds before they can produce spoken language.
Nevertheless, Fikry emphasised that not all speech disorders indicate that a child has a hearing problem. Some children have normal hearing but still experience speech barriers due to environmental factors.
Some triggering factors include:
As a result, a thorough examination by medical personnel is necessary to determine whether the cause is a sensory (hearing) problem or an environmental stimulation issue.
If the diagnosis shows a hearing impairment, one effective rehabilitation method is Auditory Verbal Therapy (AVT).
This therapy is a form of early intervention designed specifically to help children with hearing disorders develop listening and spoken language skills.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), the challenges in managing hearing disorders remain very large: prompt treatment and the availability of equipment and medicines supported by trained healthcare workers are key to reducing the incidence of hearing impairment in children in the future.
The Ministry of Health revealed alarming data: 1.8% of 18.6 million people experience ear disorders. See the urgency of World Hearing Day 2026 for the development of children.
JAMA 2026 studies reveal 32% of dementia cases are related to hearing disorders. Read about the early signs and how hearing aids can prevent cognitive decline by up to 50%.
Hearing loss is a condition where a person’s ability to perceive sound deteriorates, either partially or completely. Causes include earwax buildup (cerumen), ear infections, prolonged exposure to loud noises, ageing, head injuries, and certain medical conditions.
Protect your ears with the 60-60 rule: a maximum volume of 60% for 60 minutes per day. Prevent hearing problems from an early age!