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Flip chart on early identification of deafness

Instructions for the use of Flip Chart

With the use of this chart, you can inform people regarding the early identification of deafness.

In order to use it correctly, explain to the group that some children may be suffering with deafness since birth. Early detection is important for proper treatment.

This chart has many pages with pictures and written information. Hold the chart, so that these pages face the group. The same information alongwith few additional points is also given on the page facing you. Generate discussion with the group, as per the pointers given on this page. Explain the text to the group.

In the end, once again stress the importance of early detection. Inform the group that testing of hearing is simple and guide them to the nearby centre where these tests are available.

Does your child hear well?

A child with hearing loss looking very lost trying to localize sound.

Discussion: First ask the group if they have ever come across a deaf child. Ask them to relate their experiences about such children.

Explain to them: Do you think that your child is able to hear properly?

Hearing loss can be a serious problem!

We hope that all our children are normal and can hear well, but just in case a child has a hearing problem, it's important to detect it early. Only by catching it early, can we ensure a bright future for the child. Deafness MUST be detected early and treated, so that the child can learn to understand language and to speak.

How can you detect deafness

A mother examining the ear of her child to look for any abnormality.

Discussion: Discuss with the group how their growing children respond to common sounds.

Explain to them: All of you understand how an infant and a young child gradually starts responding to sounds and then starts babbling and speaking.

By paying attention to these developmental landmarks, we can help to identify a deaf child very early in his/her life.

Let us now understand what these landmarks are.

From birth to three months old:

A very young child sleeping. there are noises around the child such as a blaring trumpet etc, but the child is sleeping through it all.

Instruction: If the child does not:

  • Respond to very loud sounds
  • Blink in response to a bang
  • Wake up when there is a sudden noise near him/her

Discussion: Discuss with the group how a young baby responds to sounds in the first three months of life.

Explain to them: If the child does not:

  • Respond to very loud sounds
  • Blink in response to a bang
  • Wake up when there is a sudden noise near him/her

Then we must be aware that this may be because the child is unable to hear properly. The ears and hearing of such a child should be tested.

Three to six months old

A child looking towards the direction of rattle in his mother's hand in response to the sound.

Instruction: If the child does not:

  • Turn towards the sound of his/her mother's voice
  • Show any interest in new sounds (such as sound generating toys)
  • Try to localise the sound source by moving his head or eyes

Discussion: Discuss with the group how a young baby gradually starts responding to sounds, more and more between the ages of 3 to 6 months.

Explain to them: If the child does not:

  • Turn towards the sound of his/her mother's voice
  • Show any interest in new sounds (such as sound generating toys)
  • Try to localise the sound source by moving his head or eyes

Then we must pay attention to this child and get his ears and hearing chaecked at the earliest.

Six to nine months old

A child holding a ball and looking upwards, as though in response to her mother's call.

Instruction: If the child does not:

  • Understand small words like 'Come', 'bye'.. spoken by the mother
  • Show interest in squeaky toys
  • Make any babbling sounds

Discussion: Discuss with the group how a young baby gradually starts understanding small instructions and words spoken by his mother/careprovider. This young child also enjoys sound producing toys and pays attention to new sounds around him. He/She also starts babbling around the age of 9 months or so.

Explain to them: If the child does not:

  • Understand small words like 'Come', 'bye'.. spoken by the mother
  • Show interest in squeaky toys
  • Make any babbling sounds

Then the child Must be taken to the doctor immediately and his hearing tested.

Nine to fifteen months

A child with hearing complaints having difficulty in interacting with his father. The father is asking the child to speak PAPA, but he is unable to repeat the words.

Instruction: If the child does not:

  • Respond to his/her own name
  • Start speaking small words like 'mama', 'baba', 'dada' etc
  • Try to imitate words which he/she hears.

Discussion: Ask the group about the age at which their own child or neice/nephew etc first started speaking few words. Ask them if their child could recognise his/her name by the age of one year.

Explain to them: If the child does not:

  • Respond to his/her own name
  • Start speaking small words like 'mama', 'baba', 'dada' etc
  • Try to imitate words which he/she hears.

Then this could indicate a serious underlying problem and such a child must be guided for hearing testing without any delay.

Fifteen months to two years

A child with hearing complaints having difficulty in interacting with his mother. The mother is asking the child to point towards his nose, but the child is unable to understand and stands looking confused.

Instruction: If the child does not:

  • Respond to simple instructions like: 'Touch your nose', 'show your tummy' etc
  • Speak small sentences

Discussion: Remind the group that we often play word games with small children and ask them to point out their tummy or identify their mother etc.

Explain to them: If the child does not:

  • Respond to simple instructions like: 'Touch your nose', 'show your tummy' etc
  • Speak small sentences

Then Don't waste any more time. Send the child for a hearing check up Immediately.

If your child has any of these symptoms, take him or her to the nearby health centre for a hearing test

Two children, a boy and a girl, playing and interacting with each other.

Instruction: It is important that a deaf child should be identified very early. If his/her treatment is started properly, he/she can learn to hear, speak and go to school, just like the other children

Children are the future;

Nurture them!

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