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Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
Hearing assessment in infants and children: recommendations beyond neonatal screening
Insights
Early identification of hearing loss in children is crucial for preventing lifelong speech, language, and academic deficits. This report outlines a proactive medical home approach for early detection and intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Congenital or acquired hearing loss in children can lead to significant lifelong challenges.
- These challenges include deficits in speech and language acquisition, academic underperformance, and socio-emotional difficulties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To promote a proactive, consistent, and explicit process for early identification of hearing loss in children within the medical home setting.
- To reduce adverse consequences associated with undetected or delayed diagnosis of hearing loss.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing neonatal hearing screening and regular surveillance of developmental milestones.
- Incorporating auditory skills assessment, parental concern monitoring, and middle-ear status evaluation.
- Implementing objective hearing screening at critical developmental stages for all infants and children.
Main Results:
- An algorithm has been developed to guide the detection, documentation, and intervention process for childhood hearing loss.
- This systematic approach aims to facilitate timely diagnosis and management.
Conclusions:
- Early and consistent identification of hearing loss is essential for mitigating its long-term negative impacts on child development.
- The proposed medical home strategy provides a framework for proactive hearing loss management.
Abstract:
Congenital or acquired hearing loss in infants and children has been linked with lifelong deficits in speech and language acquisition, poor academic performance, personal-social maladjustments, and emotional difficulties. Identification of hearing loss through neonatal hearing screening, regular surveillance of developmental milestones, auditory skills, parental concerns, and middle-ear status and objective hearing screening of all infants and children at critical developmental stages can prevent or reduce many of these adverse consequences. This report promotes a proactive, consistent, and explicit process for the early identification of children with hearing loss in the medical home. An algorithm of the recommended approach has been developed to assist in the detection and documentation of, and intervention for, hearing loss.
