Get a quick ear health screen by a qualified audiologist before heading back to school!
Apart from the common cold, middle ear trouble is the most common reason for children visiting a doctor. Have you noticed a change in your child’s attention, speech, academic performance or behaviour? Parents might not consider ear health in the first instance with some of these behaviours, particularly in regard to ignoring instructions, becoming withdrawn or not progressing with speech.
But poor ear health can result in pain, poor hearing and fluctuating hearing levels in children.
This can then impact attention, academic performance, as well as cause irritability and poor speech (as discussed by TSH Head of Hearing Services, Philippa Hatch in this PerthNow article).
Do you worry about your child’s hearing or how healthy their ears really are? An ear health screening* can help.
Telethon Speech & Hearing recommends going through the following checklist as a guide:
- Your child's speech and/or academic performance was good but has dropped off lately.
- Your child's teacher has concerns about their hearing or classroom participation.
- Your child speaks differently than other children of the same age.
- A previously happy child has become quiet, withdrawn, stubborn or naughty lately.
- Your child has difficulty understanding what people are saying, or misunderstands instructions.
- The TV or music is always turned up very loud, or your child sits close to hear it.
- Your child asks 'What?' frequently.
- You just have a feeling that 'something is just not right with my child's hearing'.
If you answered ‘YES’ to one or more of these statements, then consider booking an appointment with us to have your child’s hearing screened. A simple check by Telethon Speech & Hearing’s qualified audiologists could make all the difference and help you find answers.
Back to school special! $20 ear health screenings
For two days only, Telethon Speech & Hearing is offering a special rate for hearing screenings. A full audiological assessment would usually cost $125 or more, so take up this limited opportunity to get valuable, professional advice for your child.
Bookings are essential with only 40 spots available.
Please note this special is for children aged four (4) and older.
Dates: Thursday, 23rd January (Wembley clinic) or Thursday, 30th January 2020 (Cockburn clinic)
Discounted price: $20
To make a booking please call (08) 9387 9888 or email speech@tsh.org.au.
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*Whilst not a full hearing test, a quick ear health screening will help to decide if a full hearing assessment is warranted for your child.
Difference between a hearing screening and hearing test/assessment
A hearing screening is a simple pass-fail evaluation, often performed outside a hearing clinic. A variety of tools may be used, from a tablet with headphones to a portable audiometer or even a questionnaire. The person who conducts the screening will be a qualified hearing professional. He or she will be able to tell you whether a full hearing assessment is recommended, in which case you will be offered a hearing test in a clinic.
A hearing test is a more comprehensive assessment that occurs in a hearing clinic. A hearing professional will ask some questions about situations in your life where you may be noticing that communication isn’t where you’d like it to be, look inside your ears, perform a test in a sound booth and explain the results to you. If you have treatable hearing loss, you will be offered a pair of hearing aids to take home and trial in your daily life.
