An audiologist is a medical professional who assists in diagnosing and treating hearing problems. These professionals assist people of all ages, but they can be particularly helpful in helping young children who may not have the ability to properly express hearing issues with words. Your child should see a audiologist in the following situations:
Your Newborn Fails a Hearing Test
Most newborn babies are given a hearing test in the hospital to ensure that their ears are working properly, and that they have the ability to hear clearly. If an infant fails the first test in the hospital, they will often be tested again before he or she is discharged with his or her mother.
If your child is unable to pass the newborn hearing screening, it is highly recommended that you take him or her to an audiologist. There are a number of reasons for hearing problems in newborns, so the sooner that your child is seen, the more likely that the problem can be diagnosed, and a treatment plan can be put in place.
Your Infant or Child is Not Startled by Loud Noises
Humans have an innate startle reflex, and one of the triggers of this reflex is loud noises. If you notice that your infant or young child is not startled by loud, unexpected noises that may be a symptom of hearing problems. In addition to consulting your child's pediatrician, you should also make an appointment with an audiologist to have your child's hearing evaluated.
Your Child Does Not Respond When Called By Name
By the time a child is a toddler, he or she usually will respond when called by name. If he or she does not, there can be a variety of reasons for it, but the simplest step is to visit an audiologist to check for physical problems causing hearing issues before going through the process of having your child evaluated for other disorders that may cause a lack of response when spoken to by name.
Language and Speech Issues
Being able to hear properly is essential for a child to learn how to speak and communicate effectively. If a child is unable to hear how the people around him or her talk, he or she is likely to have language and speech delays. An audiologist will be able to determine if these delays are caused by hearing issues. Hearing problems affecting speech and language development can usually be treated by medical professionals.
Share11 February 2015
Hi, my name is Mary Sinclair, and I want to thank you for visiting my website. For the past fifteen years, I have worked as a consultant in the field of public speaking. I have worked with corporate executives to entertainers, and just about every profession in-between. One thing I find to be important to anyone who is wanting to hold the attention of their audience is making use of both audio and visual effects. Some of us remember our school teachers using overhead projectors. This is one way to help your audience see what you are talking about. I am going to share with you some different types of audio visual equipment that I recommend for my clients. I hope you will find this information to be educational and useful. Thanks again for stopping by.