Hearing loss in children isn’t always easily detected and they could go on for some time before it is spotted. In the meantime he or she may be branded as stupid or insolent and this kind of emotional scarring can have effects lasting into adulthood.
It is recommended to be on the lookout for any signs of hearing difficulties to catch the problem early and deal with it.
A Boy Performs Poorly In Class For No Apparent Reason
I once read a story in which a young schoolboy was repeatedly punished by teachers for failing to do well in class, despite being exposed to similar teaching situations as his better performing colleagues on a daily basis.
The teachers never asked him if he had any problems learning. They simply assumed he was okay – and explained away his poor performance as due to laziness. Why did they do this? Simply because he looked just like any other normal boy in the school – healthy and active.
What they did not know was that the boy often struggled in class to hear what was being said in class by the different teachers. Due to the fact that he had his seat at the back of the class, the problem was worse making it difficult to take good notes, and follow what was being taught.
An Audiologist’s Visit Reveals The Boy Suffers From Hearing Loss
Luckily, a visit to the school by a hearing specialist (audiologist), in which all pupils were asked to take a hearing test, revealed that the boy had great difficulty hearing properly. Based on this finding, a hearing aid was eventually recommended and fitted for the boy. The impact on his performance in class showed immediately in subsequent weeks – including his participation.
The school failed to know this boy had a problem for so long because none of those who had contact with him knew what signs to look for to detect the problem causing his poor performance. If only someone had thought to sit down with the boy and ask him what the problem was, he may have volunteered details of the problem he had hearing. But fear and uncertainty prevented him from speaking out.
What Can Be Learnt From This Boy’s Experience?
So, what’s the point being made with the above? Well, the moral is that sometimes when a child (or even adult) is not doing as well as we BELIEVE s/he can, it may not be her deliberate fault. It could be that s/he is experiencing some constraint that s/he cannot manage alone – and therefore needs help with.
Which is why we should take time – especially with children – to observe them closely, and often, and then ASK them questions that can help us uncover the reason for their poor performance.
However, without an awareness of what the signs and symptoms that suggest a person has difficulty in hearing, those who relate with the child may not easily discover it, in enough time to help him/her. The impact on the child’s learning over time could be devastating – and the problem could worsen and cause more damage than should occur.
Some Signs/Symptoms Of Hearing Loss
The following are pointers to the likelihood that a child is having hearing difficulty. If/when you notice one or more of them, it is advisable to arrange for the child to see a hearing specialist or audiologist.
1. S/he often complains of having ear aches.
2. Frequently asks people to repeat what they say or says “what did you say?”
3. Turns up the radio or TV or asks people to speak louder
4. Seems to struggle to hear what others are saying
5. Often focusses intently on people’s faces or lips when listening
6. Withdraws from being in group conversation
7. Does not hear when being called from behind
8. Appears to shout or speak softly at wrong moments – unable to judge sound levels.
The above list is not exhaustive, but serves to set you off on the track to investigating what you suspect to be a hearing problem in a child (or even an adult).
Author: Simeon Afolabi
Simeon O. Afolabi (Clinical Audiologist) runs BSA Hearing and Speech Centre, through which he offers Hearing Loss Diagnosis, and fitting of hearing aids, to a varied – and growing – range of individual/organisational clientele
Visit http://www.bsahearing.com to subscribe to his monthly newsletter (BSA Hearing & Speech Centre News), to gain access to useful information and education on Hearing and Speech Improvement that can help you
You can also download BSA’s FREE Troubleshooting Chart For Common Hearing Aids Problems from http://www.bsahearing.com/free_chart.htm
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