Parental suspicion and identification of hearing impairment

Article Abstract:

Screening the hearing of infants and young children is done routinely in surveillance health programs in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, there is some suspicion of the validity of these programs in identifying childhood deafness, as it is believed that many children with hearing loss are not identified. Clinicians agree that early detection will improve the outcome of these children. Early identification of infants with profound, severe, or even moderate permanent bilateral deafness is necessary. Parents do not always know or suspect that their children have hearing loss, and thus screening programs are even more important. Parents are considered to be the most sensitive observers of their own children and researchers feel that parental suspicion is useful in the identification of hearing impairments. The contribution of parents in the identification of childhood deafness was studied, and parental suspicion before the diagnosis of permanent hearing loss was recorded. A total of 111 children with hearing loss in both ears and 60 with permanent hearing loss in one ear were included in the study. Two different testing methods were used during the study period from 1973 to 1988; infants were tested with the distraction test and older children had sweep tests. Fewer than half the parents suspected that their children were suffering from either severe or profound hearing loss. Suspicion was highest among parents of children with hearing loss in one ear only. Most parents find it difficult to detect deafness in their infants. Identification of hearing loss in children is dependent on screening programs, professional and the suspicion of parents. Overall, the infant screening program was over 90 percent sensitive, and suspicion accounted for half of the initial identifications. Referral by parents was instigated by one quarter of the cases. Parental suspicion should not be replaced by screening programs, but screening and suspicion should be complementary. Methods are needed to improve screening programs and to heighten parental awareness. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Testing, Education, Disabled children, Hearing impaired, Hearing impaired persons, Parents, Parents of disabled children

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Use of hearing aids in infancy

Article Abstract:

Congenital hearing loss is frequently not detected until the second or third year of a child's life. However, recent screening programs have made it possible to detect hearing loss in the first six months of life. Early detection and treatment of hearing loss are beneficial in the development of speech. The management of hearing loss in young children consists of selection and use of amplification. Determination of hearing sensitivity involves various methods, depending on the age of the child. Amplification is often required for hearing losses greater than 30 decibels, averaged across the speech frequency range in the better ear, although the needs of each child should be assessed individually. A hearing aid consists of a microphone that converts the incoming sound into an electrical signal; a device for amplifying the signal; and a receiver that converts the electrical signal back to sound. The hearing aid may be contained in an ear mold or unit that is mounted on the child's chest. A bone conduction hearing aid consists of a vibrator that can be worn on the head, which delivers sound by vibration of the skull and skin and other soft tissue. Most young children use hearing aids that are contained within an ear mold or unit worn on the chest. The problems associated with the use of hearing aids, the earmold, and management of the hearing impaired infant are described. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Evaluation, Hearing aids

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Head retraction and respiratory disorders in infancy

Article Abstract:

Head retraction is an abnormal condition affecting muscles. In infants this condition is often associated with damage or disease of the central nervous system. Clinical features of head retraction include extension of the neck and spine, generally increased muscle tone, shoulder rotation, and wrist flexion. Seizures, an increase in pressure within the brain, and damage to certain nerve tracts can cause head retraction. This condition may also be seen in very premature infants whose nerves are not fully developed. Although it is not generally associated with abnormalities of the respiratory system, head retraction occurs with respiratory disorders that require increased effort to breathe. These problems may include distensibility of the lungs, airway obstruction, lung infection, chronic lung disease in premature infants, or the presence of fluid in the lungs. In infants who receive breathing assistance with an artificial respirator, head retraction may indicate blockage of the tube that is inserted into the throat and lungs. Differentiating between maturational, respiratory, and neurological abnormalities in infants with head retraction may not be easy, especially in infants on artificial respirators. Clinicians caring for infants should perform a rigorous physical examination and test various aspects of the nerves and lungs to determine the cause of head retraction. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Abnormalities, Complications and side effects, Pediatric diseases, Diseases, Infants (Premature), Premature infants, Muscles, Muscle tone, Syndromes in children, Syndromes, Respiratory insufficiency, Pediatric respiratory diseases, Respiratory insufficiency in children

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