Early Diagnosis Key to Overcoming Speech and Hearing Problems

More than 42 million American children have some form of speech, language or hearing impairment. Early detection and proper treatment can reduce the impact of problems on children as they grow.

The best time to conduct a hearing test is soon after birth.

"No child is too young to be tested for his or her hearing," says Betsy Sanford, a senior audiologist at Texas Children's Hospital.

Studies show that infants who are diagnosed with a hearing loss and are fitted with hearing aids by 6 months fare better than those diagnosed later.

"They have a broader vocabulary and are more likely to be `mainstreamed' into public and private schools," says Sanford.

Once a child's hearing loss is discovered, the audiologist conducts a diagnostic follow-up test to determine the extent of the loss and if a hearing aid is necessary.

If a hearing aid is recommended, the audiologist also refers the patient to an ear-nose-throat physician and to the state's early childhood intervention program. In Texas, this program works in conjunction with local school districts to bring a specialist into the home to work with parents and their hearing-impaired child. When hearing-impaired children turn 3 years old, they are eligible to attend special-education classes within their school district.

Speech and language disorders may be diagnosed later than hearing impairments. Parents should have their child evaluated immediately by a speech-language pathologist if they recognize any of the following warning signs:

• By 6 months, the infant does not babble or respond to the sound of others talking.
• By 18 months, the child does not say a meaningful word or follow simple directions.
• By age 2, the child cannot understand simple questions, uses no more than one word at a time and cannot name objects in a picture.

Regardless of these guidelines, an evaluation can be undertaken any time there is concern about a child's development, says James Carter, manager of the Texas Children's department of speech, language and learning disorders.

Texas Children's speech-language pathologists primarily offer diagnostic services and normally refer most patients to schools or private practices for ongoing therapy near their homes. Treatment services are offered as scheduling permits. Disorders evaluated and treated by speech-language pathologists include swallowing problems, delayed language, stuttering, voice, articulation and learning problems.

"It's part of our job to help the parents set reasonable expectations for their child," Carter says. "We want parents to be suspicious of people who claim instant cures for speech disorders. There are very few quick fixes. Often we must help children compensate for their problems to the best of their ability, rather than providing a cure."

With early detection and proper treatment, both hearing- and speech-impaired children can maximize their potential in life.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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