PEDIATRIC HEARING ASSESSMENT

Hearing loss is the most common sensory deficit in humans today. WHO estimates that in India there are approximately 63 million people, who are suffering from Significant Hearing loss. Early identification of hearing loss and ear diseases is the key to effective management.

In a recent survey, 4 out of every 1000 children born in India were found to have severe, to profound hearing loss.

As data suggested, as per our Indian populations, 6.3% of Indians are suffering from significant hearing loss.

A large number of percentage groups in between 0 to 14 years.

Hearing sounds and words helps children learn to talk and understand. A child with hearing loss misses out on these sounds. This can cause problems with speaking, reading, school success, and social skills. It is important to have your child tested if you think they have trouble hearing. Getting help early is the key.

Untreated Hearing loss in children can lead to:

• Delayed speech and language skills
• Learning problems in school
• Feeling bad about themselves
• Having trouble making friends and socialized

The most important time for a child to learn language (spoken or signed) is in the first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing. Hearing is critical to your child’s brain development. Hearing builds the foundation for listening, talking, literacy, critical thinking, and other important skills. In fact, children with better hearing start learning speech and language in the first 6 months of life. This is why it is so important to screen and start interventions for hearing loss as early as possible.

Your child’s hearing should be screened before he or she leaves the hospital or birthing center. If not, make sure the baby’s hearing is tested during the first month of life. We at AUDICARE Speech & Hearing Clinic, provides the best in class facilities and with the help of advanced technologies in the industry to conduct your child’s hearing test in an affordable price.

You might be thinking about the need for formal hearing screening, since your child may startle, blink or turn their head in response to different sounds. Many newborns react this way but still have some sort of trouble of hearing which gradually impacts to their speech development. Because your child learns to speak by listening and processing what they hear, hearing concerns that go undetected can affect the early learning and speech development that lays a foundation for success in school and life.

All children need routine hearing tests, since hearing can change significantly as child grow.

• Premature birth
• Complications during birth
• Infections at birth such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Rubella, and Herpes simplex
• Placement on mechanical ventilation system after birth
• Admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia or needing ECMO therapy
• Repeated courses of IV antibiotics or diuretics
• Diagnosis of a syndrome such as Down, Usher, Alport or Treacher Collins
• Family history of permanent childhood hearing loss
• Exposure to loud sounds or noises