Uncovering weaknesses in language development

ENT doctors want to uncover weaknesses in language development

06/26/2012

Species of language development generally increase in our society. An underestimated cause are unnoticed hearing disorders. They complicate the development of age-appropriate linguistic competence and thus the academic success of primary school children. Timely diagnosis and therapy not only prevent problems with the acquisition of written language and frustration due to poor grades, but also social exclusion and possible teasing as a result of linguistic weaknesses. The HNOnet NRW, an association of established ear, nose and throat doctors in North Rhine-Westphalia, now offers parents the opportunity to enhance the hearing and speech abilities of their children beyond the regular U-examinations at the pediatrician with state-of-the-art scientific programs Have the procedure checked by a specialist. Thus, the suffering of the little ones can be averted in advance.

„Already from the birth onwards ventilation problems of the middle ear or unrecognized damage of the inner ear can lead to problems of the acoustic processing and thus the linguistic development“, explains Dr. Raimund Strote, member of the HNOnet NRW. In addition, since different brain skills develop in specific time frames, the resulting deficits can not be easily compensated later. In addition, lack of hearing often results in limited receptivity and insufficient attention in the classroom - with further negative consequences.

To effectively prevent this maldevelopment, the Uplus program launched by the HNOnet NRW envisages additional preventive controls on hearing competence and language development at defined times from birth. „Temporary hearing loss in children with a history of more than three months per year, including several shorter phases totaling more than three months, has been shown to have a detrimental effect on language development. One speaks of a negative annual balance. Of particular importance are hearing disorders in the first years of life“, noticed Dr. Strote. Diagnosis requires specialized knowledge and techniques that are available to ear, nose and throat doctors. In addition to a special ear microscopy, this includes, for example, various hearing tests, a pressure measurement of the middle ear and an examination of the nose and sinuses.