How can you help with early diagnosis?
Listen to the parents when they first voice their concernabout their childs hearing and speech. Shah et al (1978)reviewed 200 questionnaires completed by parents ofhearing-impaired children in Toronto. The average delay indiagnosis from the time hearing loss was suspected until theaudiologic assessment was completed was 11.5 months. This is muchtoo long.
Results of a questionnaire (Taylor et al 1992) surveying 558Ontario physicians revealed that only 32 per cent placedconsiderable emphasis on parental suspicions.
You can help by referring the child to an audiologist, anear-nose-and-throat specialist whose expertise is hearing, or acentre that specializes in pediatric assessments.
Remember: No child is too young to have a hearing test.