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Is My Child Not Listening Or Not Hearing?
Even though hearing is such an important factor when it comes to a child’s development, many hearing problems go undetected resulting in challenges that need not necessarily have been there. The sooner the diagnosis is made, the sooner a child can get help, such as a hearing aid which will help with the development of their speech and language.
Findings from recent research show that around 12 per cent of children in developed countries have some level of hearing loss, and that the problem is a global one. The research also found that hearing loss in one in three children was enough to make learning difficult.
About half of a child’s day is spent on listening activities, so the way they learn and their academic performance can be affected by even mild hearing loss. It is said that a third of children with hearing loss will fail a grade. However, a hearing test isn’t automatically suggested when a child starts to show learning or developmental problems.
Often, children with impaired hearing are referred to by teachers as ‘disruptive’, ‘unable to sit still’, ‘distracted’ and ‘will not listen’. Studies are showing that hearing loss is a contributing factor where children are displaying academic or behaviour problems. Similarly, issues of concentration, distractibility, impulsiveness and inappropriate attention levels are often associated with the most commonly diagnosed behavioural childhood disorder, namely attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
With similar symptoms, it is possible to confuse hearing loss with ADHD.
It is really, really important to have a regular test for hearing loss. Just as children should visit the dentist for an annual checkup, so too should they have a regular hearing test .
A hearing test will establish hearing loss, even in newborns. Many factors influence a newborn baby’s hearing such as birthing issues, complications during birth, infections in the mother during pregnancy (rubella) or medication and in older children, factors could include degenerative disorders, head injuries, skull fracture, ear infections, exposure to very loud sounds and holes in the ear drum. However, in around 50% of cases, the causes are not established.
What should one do if a child has hearing loss ? The most common intervention is a hearing aid. A hearing aid will basically amplify sound – like a mini microphone, and can help with the most common problem of dysfunctional outer hair cells.
The technology has improved vastly over the past years and there are a number of hearing devices that can be bought to suit budgets and requirements. Hearing aids are basically like a miniature public address system and the easiest way to categorise them is by the place on the body where they are worn, ie :
· Behind the ear (BTE)
· In the ear (ITE)
· In the canal or ITC-In-the-canal (ITC)
· Completely-in-the-canal (CITC)
If you have children, best you arrange a Perth hearing test at the earliest opportunity and talk to your local professional hearing loss specialist for any information about hearing loss or hearing aids. The earlier the diagnosis, the better chance of preventing problems later on in life.
Hearing Aids | Hearing Loss | Perth | WA | Medical Audiology Services
