Hearing And Speech

​In the first few years of life, hearing is a critical part of a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.

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Even a mild or partial hearing loss can affect a child's ability to speak and understand language.  The earlier hearing loss occurs in a child's life, the more serious the effects on the child's development. 

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Possible Causes of Hearing Loss are:

Hearing loss is a common birth defect, affecting about 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 babies. A number of factors can lead to hearing loss, and about half the time, no cause is found.

 

Hearing loss can occur if a child:​

• was born prematurely

• had high bilirubin and needed a transfusion

• was given medications that can lead to hearing loss

• has a family history of childhood hearing loss

• had complications at birth

• had frequent ear infections

• had infections such as meningitis or cytomegalovirus

• was exposed to very loud sounds or noises, even briefly

 

The earlier the problem is identified and intervention begins, the less serious the ultimate impact.



There are four major ways in which hearing loss affects children:

• It causes delay in the development of receptive and expressive communication skills (speech and language).

• The language deficit causes learning problems that result in reduced academic achievement.

• Communication difficulties often lead to social isolation and poor self-concept.

• It may have an impact on vocational choices

 

Hearing Test For Children

Children should have their hearing evaluated on a regular basis.  Hearing tests can be done during the first week of a baby’s life for early detection of any problems and again before the child enters primary school. 



Parent must pay a major role in helping to detect early hearing problems and in helping children to develop.  Here are some of the things that you can do:



• Check your child's ability to hear and pay attention to ear problems and  infections, especially when they keep occurring. 

• Reinforce your baby's communication attempts by looking at him or her, speaking, and imitating his or her vocalizations.  Repeat his or her laughter and facial expressions.

• Teach your baby to imitate actions such as peekaboo and clapping, they teach turn taking that is needed for conversation.

• Talk while you are doing things such as dressing and  bathing.  Talk about where you are going, what you will do once you get there, and who and what you'll see.

• Talk about colours, practice counting - count toes and fingers, count steps as you go up and down them.

• Teach animal sounds (e.g., "A cow says 'moo'").