Wed 23 Apr 2008
Unforeseen Consequences:
The Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss on America’s Children
by EditorToo many children with hearing loss don’t get adequate help. Many parents either don’t recognize the hearing problem, minimize it, or have been given misinformation regarding the ability to treat their child’s hearing loss.
In fact, at least 50 percent of parents don’t come back for detailed testing when their infant fails an initial hearing screening. And too many educators, pediatricians, and other healthcare providers underestimate the impact of mild or unilateral (affecting one ear) hearing loss. Hundreds of thousands of children, in turn, are left vulnerable to a wide range of social, emotional, behavioral, and academic problems.
Are 1 Million Dependents with Hearing Loss in America Being Left Behind? is a new national study that explores the unforeseen consequences of untreated hearing loss on America’s children. This alarming analysis reveals the high price our children are paying for the pitfalls in how we—parents, educators, and the healthcare community—are addressing hearing loss in our youth.
The study was conducted by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI) among a national sample of parents of 225 youth from infancy to age 21—all of whom were reported by their parents to have hearing loss and not use hearing aids.
The study underscores how the early stages of a child’s development can be greatly affected by hearing, and it serves as an impetus for further dialogue on how we can better serve our children with hearing loss. For parents, the study comes as a shrill reminder to thoroughly address a child’s hearing loss.
Key findings:
. Historically, at least half of parents don’t bring their infant back for detailed testing after having failed an initial hearing screening.
. An estimated 1.5 million youth (including adult dependents) under the age of 21 have hearing loss that may be improved with amplification.
. Only 12 percent of children under the age of 18 with hearing loss use hearing aids.
. The study found no evidence of the use of any form of hearing assistance in the classroom (e.g. FM systems, hearing aids, speakers), other than front-row seating.
. Hearing loss leaves children vulnerable to other problems, according to three out of four parents of children with hearing loss. Common problem areas include:
Social skills (52%)
Speech and language development (51%)
Grades in school (50%)
Emotional health (42%)
Relationships with peers (38%)
Self-esteem (37%)
Relationships with family (36%)
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