 Hearing
Even a mild, temporary hearing loss can delay the development of language skills. Early recognition and treatment is important. Seek professional help.
Degrees of Loss - Effect on Speech and Language
Slight Loss - No significant speech and language delays
Mild Loss - May need work to develop vocabualry
Moderate Loss - May miss as much as 50% of the class discussion if voices are faint or not in the line of vision. May have limitied vocabulary. May have problems pronouncing some speech sounds.
Moderately Severe Loss - Will have increasing difficulty in group activities in the classroom. Is likely to have problems in pronouncing some speech sounds. Is likely to be deficient in language comprehension and usage. May have limited vocabulary.
Severe Loss - Speech and language development are delayed. Speech and language will not develop spontaneously if loss is present before the age of two years.
A list of signs which MAY indicate a hearing loss are noted below. NO one sign positively indicates a hearing loss, however, if your child shows one or more of the following signs, it is recommended that you seek professional help. Your prmary care doctor can recommend an otolaryngologist (ear, now, throat doctor), an otologist (ear doctor) or an audiologist (hearing testing specialist). The aforementioned professionals will determine if heraing loss is present and what treatment will assist your child. Early detection and treatment can minimize the learning delays caused by a hearing loss.
Signs which many indicate a hearing loss:
- Strain to watch a speaker or hear better when watching the speaker’s face.
- Fail to pay attention when spoken to.
- Give the wrong answers to simple questions.
- Frequently ask for repetition of words or sentences.
- Often confuses consonant sounds.
- Pronounce some speech sounds incorrectly.
- Have frequent earaches, colds, runny ears, upper respiratory infections, or allergies.
- Function below potential in school.
- Have behavior problems at home and at school.
- Be withdrawn or moody.
Strategies for Home:
- Talk about what your child is doing.
- Describe what your child sees.
- Expand your child’s remarks.
- Keep your language short, simple, and direct.
Sources:
Gorham Speech-Language Therapists
Flex Study Group 2001-2002
Portland PUblic Schools' Speech-Language Therapists
Communication Skill Builders 1988
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