Contents
Based on the screening tests carried out so far among Polish students, it has been shown that even every 5-6. your child may have hearing problems that can significantly hinder development and cause learning difficulties. Specialists point out that as much as 60 percent. parents of students whose tests showed abnormalities did not suspect such a problem in their children.
- Since 2000, hearing screening tests have included over 1 million primary school children in Poland
- The results are worrying because they show that even every 5th-6th your baby may have hearing problems
- 60 percent parents were unaware of the child’s hearing impairment
Screening tests are carried out among children who start school education. National consultant in the field of otolaryngology prof. Henryk Skarżyński admitted that it is necessary to prevent and inform about threats.
– While newborns suffer from hearing impairments in 1-2 children out of a thousand, in first graders it is already 17 to 19 percent. Hearing disorders affect daily functioning and development, and the way children learn. The scale of the problem is enormous. We know that early detection of the defect is crucial for the success of the therapeutic process – said Prof. Skarżyński.
What is the reason for such a large increase in hearing impairment?
According to specialists, after a few years of life, birth defects appear, children suffering from frequently recurring infections of the upper respiratory tract and those who undergo chemotherapy or are treated with antibiotics may have problems. The sensitivity of patients to them varies – the same dose does not have a negative effect in one person, while in another the effect is hearing loss. Another factor contributing to hearing disorders is environmental noise on the street, at home, at school – during the break between lessons it can even exceed 90 decibels.
According to prof. Skarżyński, preventive actions must be carried out in many ways. – On the one hand, we must inform about the dangers and make people aware that the noise to which a child is exposed at school age will not prevent the child from hearing tomorrow, but it may have negative effects at the age of 30-40. We also need to continue general screening. This is real prevention. Having data collected from such a large population, we can plan further activities not in the form of a one-off action, but a permanent therapeutic program – said Prof. Skarżyński.
He added that looking at the achievements of otolaryngologists and the number of hearing-improving surgeries carried out in Kajetany, it can be concluded that our patients have access to the latest technologies as the first or one of the first. – This means that Polish patients have the same or even better opportunities to obtain help, especially in the field of ear surgery, as in the leading countries of Western Europe. This makes us very happy, because such a situation does not occur in every medical specialty – said prof. Skarżyński.
Dr Bogusław Barański from the Małopolska Center of Hearing and Speech in Krakow points out that during the screening tests of students only approx. parents were concerned that the results of these tests might be wrong, most of them had no suspicions of hearing impairment in their children at all. “Many parents are not aware of the importance of this problem,” he said.
What symptoms should I look for?
– Our attention should be drawn to when the child raises the volume of the TV or radio, often asks during a conversation and asks for repeating commands. In children who often suffer from upper respiratory tract infections, catarrhal problems can translate into hearing problems – explained Dr. Barański. Parents who are concerned about something should immediately see an ENT or audiologist.