Among the many tests that the baby goes through in the first period of his life, there is also a hearing screening test.
But what do we do in cases where the hearing screening test was normal, but the toddler shows signs of hearing impairment later?
How can we distinguish this, and what are the signs that may arouse suspicion that a baby or toddler has a hearing impairment?
Here are all the signs that should send you to an otolaryngologist, and if necessary also to a hearing test.
It is important to clarify that diagnosing hearing impairment at an early stage is very important.
A hearing impairment that is diagnosed late increases the gap between the baby or the child and his peers, prevents sufficient exposure to language and speech, and as a result there is a fear of a delay in verbal and emotional development.
Signs to identify hearing impairment in babies and toddlers:
Do not be frightened by loud and sudden noises
At the age of one and a half, they still don't say their first words
They don't turn their heads to the place where nearby sounds are coming from, and they don't look for where they come from
They don't respond to music
They do not respond to the voices of the parents
not crying
The cry with a strange tone of voice
Do not imitate speech or sounds
Signs to identify hearing impairment in children:
They do not answer when called, and give the impression of ignoring their surroundings
suffer from concentration difficulties
Drop in grades in studies and failure to reach full potential
Sitting close to the TV while watching it
Talking loudly or shouting a lot
Unsteady voice
Respond to frustration with physical aggression rather than verbally
loners
and avoid social gatherings
Steering disturbances that are not age appropriate
Questions are not answered to the point
It is important to diagnose early.
A boy listens to music (Photo: ShutterStock)
If a hearing impairment was diagnosed in an examination at a hearing institute and it was decided that hearing aids are needed, it is important to remember that a toddler cannot give feedback about the quality of his hearing, so the quality of the fit of the hearing aids must be verified through various tests.
Children are in a constant process of growth, so it is important to be closely monitored by a speech therapist in order to make sure that the hearing aids are suitable physically and in terms of their direction for the developmental stage the child is in and the size of the ear that changes over the years.
It is important to know that hearing aids for toddlers and children must be resistant to moisture and dust, and must be adapted both in terms of durability, both in terms of acoustic directions and in terms of technology to the unique needs of children.
The author is the chief communication clinician of Sonova Israel, Steiner hearing aids
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