Children

What parents should know about hearing loss

• Causes of Hearing Loss
• Early Identification of Hearing Loss
• Diagnosis
• FAQ

Beyond the test booth

• Communication and Your Child
• Communication Therapy for the Young Infant: Pointers for Parents
• Resources that Can Help

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What parents should know about hearing loss

Early Identification of Hearing Loss:

In 2001 Universal Newborn Hearing Screening legislation was passed in NYS mandating that all newborns have a hearing screening at birth. This means that most hospitals in NYS are now required to test the hearing of all babies. If you are expecting a child, or if you know someone who is, ask your doctor for more information about this.

Prevalence data suggest that 3-4 infants per 1000 will have a permanent hearing loss. While there are children who fail their newborn screening but ultimately, do not have a permanent hearing loss; it is very important that any baby who does not pass his/her initial screening must be referred for follow up testing. In cases when permanent hearing loss exists, the earlier intervention can begin, the greater the chance that a child can achieve developmental milestones at age appropriate times. If a hearing loss is diagnosed that requires amplification, it can be fit and the baby can be enrolled in an early intervention habilitation program. No child is too young to use amplification or to begin habilitation.

A delay in diagnosis of hearing loss can have an irreversible effect on speech and language development. There are varying degrees of hearing loss and with each degree comes a different impact on how a child can hear speech. The presence of a severe to profound hearing loss precludes any access to speech without amplification and results in the lack of development of speech and oral language. Less severe hearing loss does not totally preclude access to speech, but depending on the degree of the loss, will have a significant impact and varied effect on speech and language development. There is considerable evidence to support the fact that regardless of the type of intervention strategy chosen (e.g. auditory/oral approach or total communication approach), overall communication skills are enhanced in children who have their hearing loss diagnosed and begin intervention within the first six months of life.

Not all early onset hearing loss is present at birth. Hearing loss can develop at any time. Hearing loss that develops after birth will not be diagnosed as part of a universal newborn hearing screening program. Therefore, pediatricians and parents must be aware of the indicators of hearing loss, and refer an infant to a pediatric audiologist for a hearing test as soon as there is any suspicion of a problem. Parental concern alone should be considered enough of a reason for referring for a hearing test. Parents need to be educated regarding hearing development and what to do if they suspect their child is not hearing normally.

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