GOOD HEARING IS KEY TO YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION

HEARING is one of our most valuable senses. We use it every day without even thinking about it. We use it to learn to speak as babies, to communicate with each other and it can even keep us safe by warning us of oncoming danger when walking across the road. Our children rely on their hearing ability to learn and progress in school.

It is important that a child’s hearing is tested on a regular basis. The reality is that many types and degrees of hearing loss are not picked up by observation only, and can go unnoticed for a long time.

Any form of hearing loss, whether temporary or permanent – impacts not only a child’s experience in the classroom but their social and emotional development, literacy skills and speech and language abilities. Hearing and learning go hand in hand, so the impairment of this function means much more for a child than simply struggling to hear. Studies have shown that children with mild hearing loss perform poorer than their peers and are more likely to repeat a school grade.

The classroom is one of the most challenging situations to hear and listen well. It is usually a place with lots of background noise and often multiple speakers. The teacher’s voice can come from the front, the back or from the side. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought along additional challenges with teachers and learners having to use social distancing and wear masks. This has a negative impact on speech clarity and masks remove any visual cues that might help a child to follow the conversation. It is a big task for a child to follow what teacher says, block out the

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background noise and remember what he/she has learned.

Early identification and treatment of any hearing problem is crucial. This is the reason all babies get a hearing screening test at birth. Hearing problems can also develop later during childhood. One of the most common causes of hearing loss is due to middle ear infections that might go unidentified. Routine hearing tests and follow ups are recommended for all children. Hearing should be tested at birth, 12 months, in Gr R and during primary school.

Red flags and common signs of hearing problems in children include:

5 Delayed speech and communication development

5 Mishearing or mispronouncing words

5 Not being able to hear what’s happening if there is

background noise

5 Watching others do something before attempting it

themselves

5 Speaking too loudly or softy

5 History of middle ear problems

5 A family history of hearing loss

Hearing is tested by an audiologist. The type of test depends on the child’s age and development. The tests are not painful and results are available immediately.

Our hearing shouldn’t be taken for granted! There’s no better time to check your child’s hearing health. Schedule an appointment today!