Speech and Hearing Loss

Spoken language and healthy hearing go hand in hand.  Even a mild hearing loss may impact your child's ability to develop speech and language.  With the slightest inability to hear the different frequencies of our phonetic sound system, a child may not be able to receive the correct signal, interfering and corrupting the incoming message.  Additionally, if a child does not perceive the correct sound they will be challenged to replicate it correctly.  


There are two types of hearing loss; Conductive and Sensorineural Loss:

According to the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association (ASHA), conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones (ossicles) of the middle ear. Conductive hearing loss usually involves a reduction in sound level or the ability to hear faint sounds. This type of hearing loss can often be corrected medically or surgically.  

The Inner, Middle and Outer Ear

ASHA defines sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) as damage to the inner ear (cochlea), or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear to the brain. Most of the time, SNHL cannot be medically or surgically corrected. This is the most common type of permanent hearing loss. SNHL reduces the ability to hear faint sounds. Even when speech is loud enough to hear, it may still be unclear or sound muffled.If you suspect that your child is experiencing hearing loss, whether it is conductive or sensorineural, your pediatrician should be consulted and s/he will refer you to an Audiologist for an evaluation.  Additionally, you may be referred to an Otolaryngologist; (ENT) Ear Nose Throat medical specialist.  

An ENT is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the head and neck.  They are medically and surgically trained to treat ailments of the inner, middle and outer ear. For instance they treat; perforated ear drum, conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, weak tympanic membrane, otitis media and many more medical conditions.  

An Audiologist not only services hearing aids but they provide a complete diagnostic evaluation.  Audiologists are professionals who have received graduate and post graduate academic and clinical training.  They work in private practice, clinics, hospitals, Ear, Nose, Throat physician offices, industrial testing, and schools.

The scope of practice of an Audiologist include diagnostic evaluations, newborn and pediatric testing, sales and service of assisted hearing devices, tinnitus, vertigo (dizziness), balance, rehabilitation, industrial audiology, cochlear implants, recommendation and servicing of school FM systems, and counseling about hearing loss. 

I recommend a full hearing evaluation to all my families who are concerned about their child's speech and language development.  If you are concerned about any aspect of your child's development, contact your pediatrician.  S/he will be able to make the appropriate referrals and guide you through intervention and remediation.