Early hearing loss can interfere with speech, language skills

Mothers are used to repeating themselves. This is because most children have selective hearing.

I can tell my son to brush his teeth a half-dozen times and it does not seem to register — although he does appear to have an internal filter that allows him to hear the phrase "chocolate chip cookie" said in a whispered hush from three rooms away.

We all get exasperated with the listening skills of our offspring on occasion, but true hearing loss is a serious business that can have a major impact on the life of a child.

Hearing loss is the most common birth disorder, affecting about three out of every 1,000 children. The ability to hear plays a crucial role in several aspects of a child's development, so early identification of hearing loss is extremely important.

Hearing loss that goes undetected is likely to interfere with the acquisition of speech and language skills and also may result in learning difficulties and issues with school performance.

Hearing loss may be genetic (inherited) and can be an isolated symptom or part of a larger syndrome. Premature infants are at higher risk, and specific infections during pregnancy, including syphilis, toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes also can result in hearing loss. Ninety percent of babies with hearing loss are born to parents with normal hearing, and in many cases the cause is never identified.

Until a few years ago, children with hearing loss were not identified until about 2½ years of age on the average, and many children with milder losses were not identified until they reached school age, which put them behind in their development.

Now, each state has established an early hearing detection and intervention program to facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment.

All newborns should have a hearing test done before one month of age, typically as part of the routine newborn screening panel done before they leave the hospital.

A baby who does not pass his initial hearing screening should be referred to an audiologist (trained hearing loss professional) for a complete evaluation as soon as possible, preferably before three months of age.

Once a child has been diagnosed with hearing loss, appropriate intervention and treatment can begin. Children need timely access to communication for proper development, and several options are available.

Hearing aids amplify sound to make it louder and can be fitted as early as two months of age. A cochlear implant is an electronic device that is surgically implanted in the inner ear, stimulating the auditory nerve in response to sounds, enabling a child to hear.

Children need to work with professionals trained in hearing, speech and language who can help them develop communication skills, and many families also benefit from a support group or program designed to connect them with other families in the same situation who can assist them in their emotional journey through this process. Intervention services should begin as soon as possible, preferably by 6 months of age, to maximize the child's full potential.

Although newborn testing has helped identify more children with hearing loss at an earlier age, late onset hearing loss still can occur, and parents should keep a watchful eye (and ear) on their child's hearing. Trust those maternal instincts. If you suspect that your child may have hearing loss, talk to your doctor and ask about further testing.

If your child fails a hearing screen, get a full hearing test as soon as possible so your child can receive the help he needs. Medical science still isn't able to do much to cure selective listening, but true hearing loss that is identified early can definitely be treated.

Dr. Betsy Neahring practiced pediatrics in Evansville for 10 years. Write to her at drbetsyneahring@aol.com.