$Unique_ID{BRK01487}
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$Title{Is a Hearing Test the Right Thing to Do?}
$Subject{ears hearing test child speech ill defined symptoms symptom tested
sense communication hear auditory perception outer middle inner ear nerve
senses hears heard tests children speak speaking speaks communicate}
$Volume{N-21,F-21}
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Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Is a Hearing Test the Right Thing to Do?


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QUESTION:  Although I brought my daughter to our physician because she doesn't
speak as clearly as others in her class, he has decided to have her hearing
tested before making any diagnosis.  Is this the right thing to do?  Please
help a distressed mother.

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ANSWER:  A hearing test is indeed a logical place to begin, because the most
common cause of communication disorder is hearing loss.  Of the 21 million
Americans who suffer from communication disorders, about 18 million cases can
be attributed to hearing loss.
     Without being able to hear well or properly, your daughter could have
trouble with auditory perception, discrimination or processing.  A child
learns to speak by imitating his parents and others who are around him.  When
he ability to hear is limited, she will not be able to imitate what has
actually been said.
     By examining the ears, your doctor can determine whether there is a
hearing disorder in the outer ear, middle ear, inner ear, auditory nerve or
auditory centers of the brain.  If the ear tests show your daughter's hearing
to be normal, then it's time to look into structural or neurological problems
that might be the source of the problem.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.