Early Recognition and Referral of Hearing-Impaired Children
Noel D. Matkin PhD1
1 Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
For many children, sensorineural hearing loss is detected relatively late, assuming that the goal is to minimize the pervasive impact of the impaired hearing upon cognitive, language, social, and communicative development. Shortcomings in current neonatal screening programs, confusion among parents due to such children's inconsistent auditory behavior, the reluctance of some physicians to refer children for evaluation at an early age, and the fact that some sensorineural losses are acquired after birth, are all factors that contribute to the delay in recognizing and referring youngsters with hearing impairment. After considering this composite of problems, it becomes apparent that no single recommendation for modification of current health care delivery programs will assure early detection. However, physicians can play a key role in timely recognition and referral of hearing-impaired children during the period from birth to kindergarten if attention is focused on determining those youngsters who are manifesting significant early delays in speech and language development.
