Around 34 million children worldwide have a hearing loss of more than 35 dB in the good-hearing ear and need rehabilitation. WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that 60% of cases of hearing loss in children are due to preventable causes, while about 40% of all cases are due to unpreventable causes (e.g. genetic factors).

Approximately 3 in 1,000 infants are born deaf or hard of hearing . An additional population segment of 3 in 1,000 children experience permanent hearing changes after the newborn period and become deaf or hard of hearing during childhood. Because babies who are born with a hearing loss do not receive and interpret auditory and linguistic stimuli as well as normal hearing infants, they often experience delays in their speech and language acquisition skills. Early intervention programs aim to minimize these delays by providing infants with hearing loss (and their families) with interventions and tools that focus on accessing linguistic stimuli and increasing overall communication skills.When children with hearing loss begin early intervention services before six months of age, they are more likely to develop and maintain age-appropriate language skills by five years of age. Therefore, meeting EHDI’s six month early intervention guideline minimizes the negative effects that a hearing loss diagnosis may have on one’s communication abilities later in life. Recommended Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) benchmarks include screening for hearing loss before 1 month of age, diagnostic evaluation before 3 months of age, and enrollment in early intervention before 6 months of age, known as the 1-3-6 plan. The assessment, treatment, and management of hearing loss and related disorders in children involves interprofessional processes and collaboration. Audiologists, speech-language pathologists, otolaryngologists, pediatricians, and other specialists may be involved depending on the child’s needs.

EARLY HEARING DETECTION AND INTERVENTION IN CYPRUS

If you suspect hearing loss in your child, make an appointment for a hearing test at our ISKELE HEARING CENTER in Cyprus. Check out the symptoms and signs of hearing loss in babies and children.