Back to school hearing test 101

With a new school year approaching, parents are buying new school supplies, getting ready for the first week of school and arranging doctor’s appointments for their children. A back-to-school hearing test is often forgotten on the list but is something that should be completed before children return to school.

It is estimated that 15% of children 18 or younger have hearing problems with ear infections being the most common cause of hearing loss in young children. This hearing loss can cause children to miss at least 10 percent of the classroom instruction. This could cause the child to have academic losses early on in their school career.

Hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication and learning. As a parent, you can ensure that your child makes the most of this coming school year, please schedule an appointment with one of our physicians at Michigan ENT and Allergy Specialists.

Common signs of hearing loss in children include:

• Turning up the TV volume excessively high

• Sitting closer to the TV

• Having difficulty understanding what is being said in a noisy environment

• Watching others to imitate what they are doing

• Switching ears frequently when using the telephone

Teachers and parents should watch for these signs:

• Delayed speech or language development

• Attention deficit or behavior problems

• Poor academic performance