Speech Therapists are professionals not only in verbal communication, but in all aspects of communication. Part of communication is hearing and listening;  what a child hears drastically affects their speech and communication.
 
When a child is referred to a Speech-Language Pathologist for a Speech Evaluation, a hearing screening is an essential part of the process. Children who have difficulties with speech may have an unrecognized hearing challenge that might be the cause of their speech concerns.
 
Tools to help identify Hearing Loss in Children:

• Sounds don’t get their attention.
• They do not respond when you call their name (age 7 months+)
• They do not follow simple directions (1-2 years)
• Shows delays in speech and language development (birth – 3 years)
• Grabs at, pulls, or scratches at their ears.
• Struggles with academics, specifically math and reading.
• Is unhappy at school or socially isolated.
• Has persistent ear discomfort after exposure to loud noise.

Hearing Loss & Speech Therapy
Where does Speech Therapy fit into hearing loss treatment? If your child is suffering from hearing loss that has affected their speech and language development, Speech Therapy is the best solution to improving those delays. A Speech-Language pathologist can improve their speech and understanding through a customized Speech Therapy Program.
 
If your child is showing some signs of hearing loss or a speech and language disorder, we encourage you to visit your pediatrician right away.  Your pediatrician may recommend a hearings screening within their office or refer your child to an Audiologist.
 
 
Children with hearing loss can experience many challenges if the problem is unrecognized or untreated. Hearing loss is treatable. An audiologist can help assess your child’s specific needs if they are indeed suffering from hearing loss. Sometimes hearing loss is temporary, sometimes it is permanent, an audiologist will assess which your child falls under. Hearing aids, cochlear implants or assistive listening devices can provide many benefits.
 

ASHA (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association) provides a list of speech and hearing milestones:
 
From birth to four months, your infant should:

• Startle at loud sounds
• Wake up or stir at loud noises
• Respond to your voice by smiling or cooing
• Calm down at a familiar voice

 
From four months to nine months, your infant should:

• Smile when spoken to
• Notice toys that make sounds
• Turn its head toward familiar sounds
• Make babbling noises
• Understand hand motions like the bye-bye wave

 
From nine to 15 months, your infant should:

• Make various babbling sounds
• Repeat some simple sounds
• Understand basic requests
• Use its voice to get your attention
• Respond to name

 
From 15 to 24 months, your infant should:

• Use many simple words
• Point to body parts when you ask
• Name common objects
• Listen with interests to songs, rhymes and stories
• Point to familiar objects you name
• Follow basic commands

 
Speech Therapy of Forsyth offers complete speech, language and hearing screenings to help determine the root cause of your child’s symptoms. Please contact our office 770-410-7719.
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