The Lake County Parent's Guide to Child Hearing Health

As a parent, you want nothing more than to see your child thrive—laughing at bedtime stories, singing along to their favorite songs, and confidently participating in classroom discussions. Your child's hearing health plays a quiet but powerful role in making these precious moments possible.

At Citrus Hearing Clinic, we know how overwhelming it can feel when you have concerns about your child's hearing. That's why we've dedicated ourselves to creating a warm, supportive environment where families feel heard and understood. Our team has helped hundreds of Lake County children reach their full potential through compassionate, expert hearing care.

The first few years of your child's life are when their brain is most receptive to learning language. During this time, consistent access to sound helps build the neural pathways needed for clear speech and strong communication skills. When hearing issues arise early, gentle intervention can help your child stay on track developmentally.

When to Watch for Hearing Concerns

Every child develops at their own pace, but certain signs may suggest it's time for a hearing evaluation. If your child seems to miss parts of conversations, watches faces intently while others speak, or appears to ignore you when called from another room, these could be signs their hearing needs attention.

You might notice your little one turning up the volume on their tablet higher than seems comfortable, or perhaps they're speaking louder than necessary during family conversations. Some children develop creative ways to compensate—they might position themselves to see your lips when you talk or rely heavily on visual cues to understand what's happening around them.

School-age children might come home frustrated about missing instructions in class or feeling left out during playground conversations. Teachers sometimes mention attention difficulties that could actually stem from hearing challenges rather than behavioral concerns. Trust your parental instincts—if something feels different about how your child responds to sound, it's worth having a conversation with a hearing professional.

Creating Comfort During Testing

We understand that bringing your child for hearing testing can feel nerve-wracking. Will they cooperate? Will the experience frighten them? Our team has designed our pediatric evaluations to feel more like playtime than medical appointments.

For our youngest patients, we use techniques that turn hearing tests into games. Toddlers might place blocks in a bucket when they hear sounds, while preschoolers help us "find" sounds hiding around the room. These play-based approaches keep children engaged and help us gather accurate information about their hearing abilities.

Our testing room feels welcoming rather than clinical, and we invite parents to stay close throughout the process. We move at your child's pace, taking breaks when needed and explaining everything in age-appropriate language. Most children leave our office feeling proud of how well they "played the hearing games" with us.

For babies and very young children who can't participate in traditional testing, we use specialized techniques like auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. These methods allow us to assess hearing without requiring any response from your child, giving parents peace of mind about their little one's hearing development.

Today's Hearing Technology for Children

If your child needs hearing aids, you'll be amazed by what today's technology can do. Modern pediatric hearing aids look nothing like the bulky devices you might remember from years past. They come in fun colors that children love—bright blues, vibrant pinks, or even patterns that reflect their personality.

These devices are built to withstand everything childhood throws at them. They resist moisture from swimming lessons, survive drops during playground adventures, and include safety features that give parents peace of mind. Many models connect wirelessly to classroom sound systems, helping children hear their teacher clearly even from the back of the room.

We carry hearing aids from seven leading manufacturers—Phonak, Widex, Signia, Oticon, Starkey, ReSound, and Unitron—so we can find the perfect match for your child's specific needs. This independence allows us to recommend what's truly best for your child rather than being limited to specific brands.

When hearing aids aren't enough, we guide families through cochlear implant evaluation. These remarkable devices can provide access to sound for children with severe hearing loss. We work closely with surgical teams and provide ongoing support throughout the entire process, from initial evaluation through years of follow-up care.

Getting the Fit Just Right

When children wear hearing aids, proper programming becomes even more important than with adults. Your child might not be able to tell us if sounds seem too loud or too soft, which is why we use Real Ear Measurement technology during every pediatric fitting.

This process involves placing a tiny microphone in your child's ear alongside their hearing aid. It sounds more complicated than it feels—most children don't even notice it's there. This measurement tells us exactly how much sound is reaching your child's eardrum, allowing us to program their hearing aids with scientific precision rather than educated guesses.

This careful attention to detail means your child gets the full benefit of their hearing technology from day one, supporting their speech development and classroom success.

Supporting Your Whole Family

We know that when your child has hearing challenges, it affects everyone in the family. You might worry about their future, feel frustrated when communication becomes difficult, or struggle with questions from well-meaning friends and relatives. These feelings are completely normal, and we're here to support you through this journey.

Our team takes time to explain everything in terms that make sense, answer your questions honestly, and connect you with other families who've walked this path. We help you understand what to expect and provide practical strategies for supporting your child's hearing health at home.

For families facing financial concerns, we assist with the Children's Hearing Aid Program (CHAP), which can provide hearing aids at no cost to qualifying families. We handle the paperwork and guide you through the process, removing barriers that might delay your child's access to hearing technology.

Building Confidence and Self-Advocacy

Children with hearing aids or cochlear implants sometimes worry about looking different from their classmates. We help families address these concerns by connecting them with inspiring children's books featuring characters who wear hearing technology with pride.

Stories like "Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears" and "I Deaf-initely Can, Rhett the Heeler" show children that hearing aids and cochlear implants are simply tools that help them access the world around them. These books spark conversations about differences, teach self-advocacy skills, and help children develop confidence in explaining their hearing technology to friends.

We often see children transform from feeling self-conscious about their devices to proudly showing classmates how their "super ears" work. Building this confidence early sets the stage for successful advocacy throughout their school years and beyond.

Working with Your Child's School

Successful hearing care extends into the classroom, where children spend much of their day learning and socializing. We partner with families to help schools understand your child's needs and implement appropriate support services.

This might involve setting up FM systems that send the teacher's voice directly to your child's hearing aids, recommending optimal seating arrangements, or suggesting modifications during testing. We provide schools with clear, practical information about how hearing loss affects learning and what accommodations can help your child succeed.

Our ongoing relationship doesn't end after the initial fitting. As your child grows, their hearing needs evolve. We schedule regular check-ups to adjust their technology, monitor their hearing health, and update their school accommodations as needed. This consistent support helps families feel confident that their child's hearing needs are being met at every stage of development.

Why Experience Matters

Both Dr. Laura Bradley Pratesi and Dr. Teresa J. Parsons wear hearing aids themselves, giving them unique insight into what families experience. Dr. Pratesi was born with progressive hearing loss and has worn hearing aids since childhood, while Dr. Parsons manages bilateral tinnitus with hearing aid sound therapy.

This personal experience shapes how we approach pediatric care. We understand the emotional journey families face, from initial concerns through diagnosis and treatment. Our doctors know what it feels like to navigate school with hearing aids and can share practical tips that come from lived experience, not just textbook knowledge.

As Clinical Directors for Florida Special Olympics Hearing Health, we've worked with children who have diverse hearing needs and abilities. This experience has taught us that every child's journey is unique, and we tailor our approach accordingly.

The Path Forward

Hearing loss doesn't define your child's potential—it's simply one aspect of who they are. With proper support and technology, children with hearing challenges excel in academics, sports, music, and every other area that captures their interests. We've seen quiet children blossom into confident speakers and watched struggling students become academic achievers once their hearing needs were addressed.

The key is starting with accurate diagnosis and appropriate intervention. Modern hearing technology, when properly fitted and programmed, opens up a world of possibilities for children. Combined with family support and school accommodations, children with hearing loss can achieve anything their hearing peers can accomplish.

Take the First Step with Confidence

If you're concerned about your child's hearing, you're not alone—and you're not overreacting. Trust those parental instincts that brought you here. Whether your child is struggling with speech development, seems inattentive, or you simply have a nagging feeling that something isn't quite right, we're here to provide answers and support.

Our experienced audiologists bring not just professional expertise, but genuine empathy to every family they serve. We take time to listen to your concerns, answer all your questions, and explain everything in terms that make sense. There's never any pressure or rush—just caring professionals who want to help your child reach their full potential.

Call us at 352-989-5123 to schedule your child's hearing evaluation at our welcoming Clermont office. Together, we'll make sure your child has every opportunity to succeed in school, build friendships, and experience all the joy that clear hearing can bring to their world.