Important Facts During Better Hearing & Speech Month – May 2021
Learning and education begins long before a child enters a classroom. From the very first time you speak to your infant (“I’m your mom” and “Daddy’s been waiting to meet you”), your baby is listening and learning language. In fact, your baby is listening to the world for almost an entire year before she or he utters her or his first word. If all parts of the hearing system are not functioning properly, delays in speech and language are likely to occur.
Hearing loss is the most common disorder present at birth, but unlike other disorders, hearing loss is invisible and frequently goes undetected until age 2, later if the hearing loss is less severe or in only one ear. Even mild hearing losses and hearing loss in one ear can affect speech, language, listening skills, and educational performance. For this reason, KIDZ Medical Services began the First Sounds Newborn Hearing Screening Program in 1999, long before it became mandated by law.
Babies can’t tell us if they are not hearing well. Prior to the introduction of newborn hearing screening programs in Florida, the average age of identification of hearing loss was 14 months or greater. Since the initiation of the newborn hearing screening, the average age of confirmation of hearing loss has decreased to 2-3 months of age.
The Importance of Newborn Screening
The later a hearing problem is detected, the more difficult it will be to overcome these delays. That is why it is so important to have your newborn’s hearing screened at birth and to follow up with a pediatric audiologist if your newborn doesn’t pass this screening. The audiologist will conduct further testing to determine how your baby is hearing, whether or not there is a problem, and if so, whether it is temporary or permanent. Delaying the newborn hearing screening can delay a diagnosis and treatment if a hearing loss exists. If your baby wasn’t born in a hospital, talk to your pediatrician about where you can go to have your baby’s hearing screened, or visit a pediatric audiologist in your area.
Newborn hearing screening is only the first step in early detection of hearing loss. Hearing can change at any time as your child grows. Additionally, any baby who has spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, has a blood relative with hearing loss that occurred in early childhood, or has any type of malformation in their head or ear may be at slightly higher risk for developing hearing loss. These babies should be monitored periodically by a pediatric audiologist to ensure that no changes in hearing are detected.
Signs of a Potential Hearing Issue
Parents and other family members are usually the first to suspect that their baby or child may have a hearing problem. Some signs to look for are:
• Lack of awareness or inconsistent responses to sounds by 6 months of age
• Does not respond when you call his/her name at 7 months to 1 year
• Does not point to familiar objects by 15 months
• Does not follow simple directions by 1-2 years
• Does not say 6 – 20 words by 18 months
• Does not put two words together by 24 months (“want juice,” “daddy go”)
• Pulling or scratching at ears
• Difficulty in school at any age
Parents should never take a “wait and see” position, but should see a licensed audiologist immediately to discuss any question or concern about hearing, speech or language development or educational performance.
Even if your child is diagnosed with a permanent hearing loss, today there are many opportunities for a complete and fulfilling life. Children are perfect the way they are, and allied health professionals can help them achieve their best. There are many resources and support for children and families so that your child can lead a normal and healthy life and achieve all their goals, hopes and dreams.
