Toddler Care

Looking After Your Toddler’s Hearing

To protect your toddler’s hearing:

• Breastfeed. Breastfed toddlers have fewer ear infections.
• Avoid putting your toddler to bed with a bottle. This can lead to ear infections, which can reduce hearing.
• Keep your toddler away from second‑hand smoke. Second‑hand smoke increases the risk of ear infections.
• Use only a light towel when clearing your toddler’s ears. Avoid using cotton swabs or putting anything in the ear canal.
• Check the volume of TV or music. If you have to raise your voice to be heard above the noise of other sounds, the noise level is too high.
• Provide ear protection like earmuffs if your toddler must be around loud sounds, such as loud music or fireworks. Do not use earplugs as they can be a choking hazard.
• Have your toddler immunized on time. For more information about immunizations, click here.

Hearing Warning Signs

The earlier hearing problems are found and treated, the better. It is best if this can be done by six months of age. See your doctor or public health nurse, or call HealthLink BC (8‑1‑1) if your toddler has any of the following conditions, which can lead to hearing problems:

• Ear discharge (runny ear)
• Earache (pain in the ear)
• Bad smell form the ear canal
• Reddened skin around the ear
• Wax totally blocking the ear canal
• An object in the ear canal

The following signs may indicate that your toddler already has a hearing problem. If your toddler shows any of these signs, speak to your doctor:

• Talks in a very loud or soft voice.
• Seems to have difficulty responding when called from across the room, even when if it for something interesting.
• Turns her or his body so that the same ear is always turned toward the sound.
• Is rarely startled by loud noises.