Early Detection of Hearing Impairment

Abstract

Numerous studies have shown the relationship between a hearing impairment and delayed language development in children. Using an open-ended questionnaire, the authors surveyed 24 parents of children (18 months to 12 years; hard of hearing to profoundly deaf) enrolled in a program for the hearing impaired. Preliminary data gathered concerned 1) age of the child when the problem was suspected, 2) the first person to suspect the presence of a hearing loss, 3) factors responsible for arousing suspicion, and 4) those behavioral variations that concerned the parents. Useful information in all categories was obtained, with results validating the suspicion that many children were identified late—only two were identified by a professional practitioner. A thorough review of the literature confirming the authors' findings as well as a description of the Limited High Risk Register, a tool designed to assist in the early screening of hearing impairment, is presented.