Continuous Hearing Screens for Children
Statement on Early and Continuous Hearing Screens for Children
Version: v1.0
Date Created: 04/10/2024
Next Review Due: 04/10/2025
Approval Status: Approved
Children and Hearing Loss
A 2016 study reported that almost a quarter of Queensland school aged children are likely to suffer from some form of hearing issue [1].
This is an alarming figure, especially when we consider the implications for children with undetected or untreated hearing loss, especially for their learning and development.
How are children with hearing loss impacted by undetected or untreated hearing loss?
Undetected or untreated hearing loss can impact children in many ways, including:
Speech and Language Development:
If hearing loss manifests itself in the early years critical development period, hearing loss can delay skills in speech and language development. This can lead to ongoing complications for the child when trying to communicate.
By detecting and treating hearing loss early, we may be able to help improve effective communication and help children develop speech and language skills comparable to their peers.[2]
Educational Outcomes
Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to understand instructions and participate in classroom activities, leading to ongoing academic challenges, including falling behind the rest of the class in academic levels [3].
Early detection and treatment can help ensure children can access the full curriculum and educational resources, promoting better academic performance.
Social and Emotional Well-being
Hearing is essential for interacting with peers. Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation and difficulty in forming friendships [4].
By addressing hearing loss early, we can help boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem enabling them to engage fully in social activities.
Cognitive Development
Hearing is linked to cognitive processes [5]. Early intervention helps in the normal development of auditory pathways and cognitive skills.
Early treatment prevents delays in cognitive development, ensuring that children reach their developmental milestones.
Early Intervention Benefits
The earlier the intervention, the more effective the treatment outcomes. Hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other interventions work best when started early [6].
Early assessment and treatment can also help reduce long-term costs for the community associated with additional educational support and healthcare needs [7].
Support for Indigenous Communities
Our Indigenous communities face a much higher prevalence of hearing health related issues including hearing loss.
Provision of early hearing assessments in Indigenous communities will help address this higher prevalence of ear infections and hearing loss in these populations.
Our Support for Early and Continuous Hearing Screens
The importance of early hearing assessments and treatment cannot be overemphasised and in Australia we are lucky to have universal hearing screenings at birth, as well as programs for children identifying and addressing hearing loss including Deadly Ears, Sound Scouts, Community Hearing Clinics and more.
There are many things that can cause hearing loss in children and they may not be able to convey that, which means their hearing loss can go unnoticed. That’s why a comprehensive and continuous hearing health program for the early development years can help ensure that all Australian children reach their full potential in every aspect of their development.
[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-03/thousands-qld-students-suffering-undiagnosed-hearing-problems/7218910
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15448044/
[3] https://www.healthyhearing.com/report/52433-How-hearing-loss-affects-school-performance
[4] https://www.audiology.org/news-and-publications/audiology-today/articles/friendship-and-loneliness-in-children-and-adolescents-with-hearing-loss/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4296983/
[6] https://www.asha.org/Practice-Portal/Professional-Issues/Early-Intervention/
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9150379/
