Hearing Loss Treatment
Critical at an Early Age
Hearing loss is a subject often overlooked in the early
development of a child. Whether ignored or unrecognized by a parent,
misdiagnosed by a pediatrician, or simply too unaffordable to correct;
children are the ones who suffer the most.
According to a national study released by the Better
Hearing Institute (BHI), an estimated 1.4 million people under the age of 18
have some form of hearing loss-that’s approximately 1.7 percent of children.
Only 12 percent wear hearing devices. Based on objective studies published
in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the BHI believes the
figure could be as high as 15 percent due to early exposure to noise. That
means many parents are not aware that their child has hearing loss.
In some cases, pediatricians mistakenly say the child’s
hearing loss is untreatable. However, even when doctors and audiologists
suggest a hearing device, parents can still be hesitant and often minimize
the impact of the child’s hearing loss. When a child’s hearing loss is
recognized within the educational system, often the only treatment is
front-row seating, which for many is inadequate. National research also
shows that 50 percent of parents do not pursue detailed testing when their
infant fails initial hearing screening at birth. Most parental concerns come
from either the stigma placed on a child and how others will perceive them
if they wear hearing aids or from financial matters.
The BHI strongly suggests that parents need to realize
the importance of the early detection and treatment of hearing loss and the
resulting benefits.
So, why should steps be taken early when it comes to
hearing loss in children? The following key developmental factors are
compromised when a child has an uncorrected hearing loss: speech and
language development, academic competence, social skills, emotional health,
self-esteem, relationships with family members, and cognitive development.
Early identification and correction of hearing loss would allow the child to
grow and learn competitively with his or her peers and therefore develop
into a productive human being.
For more information on hearing loss, its evaluation
and treatment, recognizing signs of hearing loss in children and prevention
of hearing loss, visit betterhearing.org.
Courtesy of NewsUSA.
Home
About us
.png)
