Hearing and Communication Checklist
​"Some babies are born with hearing problems. Other children are born with normal hearing and begin to have hearing problems as they grow older." (NIDCD)
Are you still waiting for your child's first words? Or are the words your child says very distorted? Are you repeating yourself or having to speak in a louder voice to get your child's attention? Have you had your child's hearing tested since the newborn screening at the hospital?
Hearing development and speech development go hand in hand. Imagine learning a new language underwater. Children with a hearing impairment hear a distorted version of your speech and their own speech. Children with hearing impairments that are not addressed may have delayed speech and language development. But, how do you know if your child has a hearing impairment? The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) has developed a Hearing and Communication Development Checklist to assist in screening a child's hearing ability. Consult your pediatrician if you have concerns after utilizing the checklist.
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