Early Childhood Hearing Screening

Audiologists, by virtue of academic degree, clinical training, and license to practice, are qualified to provide guidance, development, implementation, and oversight of newborn hearing screening programs. Professional roles and activities include training screeners, monitoring program outcomes, performing screenings, advocacy, education, administration, and research. 

Source:  The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)

Hearing loss can affect relationships, education, productivity, and most importantly, emotional well-being. For the estimated 30 million people in the U.S. who have a hearing loss, selecting the most suitable hearing solution can be a critical factor in achieving a balanced life.

One of the first steps you can take to determine if you have hearing loss is to be proactive – early hearing screening and follow-up.  This is especially important for newborns children. 

In Texas, newborns are screened for 55 disorders, hearing is 1 of them.  In 2013 more newborns arrived in August than in any other month. The second, third, and fourth most popular birthday months by number of births were July, October, and September.  Texas is ranked number 2 out of the top 3 state with the most births. California, Texas, and New York (in descending order) had the greatest number of births. 

Early Childhood Hearing by the numbers:

• Approximately 1 to 3 in every 1,000 children are identified with congenital hearing loss shortly after birth.  

• Hearing loss can occur at any time in a young child's life. By 6 years of age, about six in every 1,000 children have a hearing loss. 

• Approximately 1 out of every 300 children in the U.S. is born with a significant hearing loss.  Children need to hear clearly in order to develop spoken language skills.  Therefore, periodic screening during the early childhood years will help to ensure that children are able to communicate and learn.  The goal of early childhood hearing screening is to identify concerns regarding a child's developmental, sensory, behavioral, motor, language, social, cognitive, perceptual, and emotional skills. Without appropriate screening, the condition can remain undiagnosed, or misdiagnosed, for years as the child falls further behind in cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation hearing loss solutions:

• Up-to-date information about recommended hearing screening practices

• Tools to effectively implement hearing screening so that children with hearing-health needs are identified as early as possible and provided with appropriate follow-up services and support

• Strategies for using hearing screening as an opportunity to promote language development in all children as an integral part of school readiness

Audiologists, by virtue of academic degree, clinical training, and license to practice, are qualified to provide guidance, development, implementation, and oversight of newborn hearing screening programs.

Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Hearing Screening is recommended for all children 0 – 3 years of age. It is also appropriate for many children over 3 who are unable to follow instructions and complete tasks required for Pure Tone Audiometric Screening. Pure Tone Screening has traditionally been recommended for children over 3 years of age who can follow instructions and complete screening tasks.

The OAE screening provides:

• Quick, painless and does not require a behavioral response.

• Helps detect permanent sensorineural hearing loss and call attention to a wide range of hearing health concerns.

Most children will pass this third OAE screening. Less than 1% will still not pass. These children must be referred immediately for a complete diagnostic evaluation from a pediatric audiologist. 

Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation is a speech and hearing clinic in Plano, Texas. We offer speech-language pathology and audiological services for children and adults of all ages. Achieve is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, BlueCross BlueShield, Medicare, and United Healthcare. We can help obtain information about your policy to determine if services are covered under. To schedule, an appointment call us today 972-608-0416 or send email questions to receptionist@achievehearing.com

Achieve a Balanced Life

Social Skills And Your Child's Ability To Communicate Effectively

"From elementary school language arts to advanced high school math classes, the standards set clearly defined expectations for students in pragmatic listening and speaking skills."

Source: Social Skills Boost Academics

What are Social / pragmatic skill deficits?
The study of the rules that govern and describe how language is used during different situations, in light of its context and environment.

Each year of your child's education brings with it a host of new behavior challenges and opportunities to excel socially and academically.  The development of communication skills begins in infancy, before the emergence of the first word. Any speech or language problem is likely to have a significant effect on the child's social and academic skills and behavior. The earlier a child's speech and language problems are identified and treated, the less likely it is that problems will persist or get worse. Early speech and language intervention can help children be more successful with reading, writing, schoolwork, and interpersonal relationships.

Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation helps patients overcome their pragmatic language disorders. If you or someone you know demonstrates any signs and symptoms of a pragmatic language disorder please call us at 972-608-0416 to discuss how Achieve can help. 

Achieve Hearing & Rehabilitation is a speech and hearing clinic in Plano, Texas. We offer speech language pathology and audiological services for children and adults of all ages. Achieve is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, BlueCrossBlueShield, Medicare, and United Healthcare. We can help obtain information about your policy to determine if services are covered under. Please call us at 972-608-0416.

Achieve a Balanced Life