Deafness - who is affected?
Deafness is
often ignored or overlooked!
Every child
should have a hearing test at least once after birth, more so for the at risk
group.
High Risk Factors
Family
History
Congenital
perinatal infection
Head,neck and
ear deformity
Hyperbilirubinaemia
Prematurity with
birth weight less than 1500g
Bacteria
meningitis
Asphyxia
Mechanical
ventilation
Ototoxic
medication
Syndrome e.g.
Down's syndrome
Who else needs a hearing assessment?
Children
Children who
acquire hearing impairment as a consequence of infection, affecting the middle
ears or the hearing nerves.
Children who
have delayed speech and language development.
Primary School children who are poor
performers in school
Adult age group
Those who have
continual exposure to loud noises at work-sites, without using proper ear
protectors.
Those who notice
that there is a change in hearing as a result of an infection to the middle
ears or the hearing nerves.
Those who have
complaints of vertigo or giddiness.
Those who have
tinnitus in one ear or both.
Those who have
speech discrimination problem due to old age
Be aware!!!
Children born
under high risk factors must have a hearing screen soon after birth and if he
or she fails in a repeat screen, he or she should have further diagnostic tests
by the Audiologist.
If the diagnostic
test confirms defective hearing, an appropriate
amplification device (hearing aid) should be issued and then monitored
periodically.
The best age to
introduce habilitation with hearing aid is between 1 to 3 years old. Beyond
the age of 3 years old, the brain finds it difficult to encode, process and
decode speech and language effectively.
Moreover, it is
easier for the young child to accept and wear the ear mould with the hearing
aid if it is introduced at or below 1 year old.
Any
hearing problem?
Any
tinnitus problem?
Any
giddiness problem?
Do
Not Delay in Seeking Help!
