Think back to when you were a kid. You actively ran with friends, played games and constantly learned about the world around you. Children should be active and absorb new knowledge. It’s in our nature. Therefore, do not be surprised if your child runs a lot and plays in the garden or school, communicates with peers and you do not have enough energy to keep up with him.
All children are active. But sometimes this activity looks strange. And the child’s behavior goes beyond everyday norms. This is especially noticeable at school when grades and performance are important indicators of a child’s development and health.
If your child is unable to concentrate on homework, it could be a sign that the child has both attention deficit disorder (ADD) and hearing loss. Both of these conditions have similar physical manifestations and can run parallel to one another.
A few words about Attention Deficit Disorder
ADD is a behavioral disorder of unclear etiology with no clear diagnostic criteria. Some of its symptoms are similar to those of hearing loss and vice versa. Therefore, it is easy to confuse the two!
A child with ADD can be impulsive, requiring increased attention to himself or herself. In addition, he or she may have poor organizational skills, have difficulty with tasks requiring prolonged mental effort, and be easily distracted.
Children with a similar disorder – attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – also cannot sit still. They often take on several tasks at the same time, failing to complete any of them at all. The difference between ADHD and ADD is the presence of impulsiveness and motor excitement.
In recent years, WHO has noted a rapid increase in patients with hearing loss. This disorder used to be the hallmark of the elderly because of age-related changes in the hearing organs. But a lot has changed today. Today, young people, teenagers, and even children are increasingly coming into the office to see an audiologist. And the doctor, after diagnosing them, diagnoses them with hearing loss. What do the statistics say about this? According to the ASHA, one in 2 to 3 babies out of every 100 are born with clinically significant (detectable by diagnostic methods) hearing loss in one or both ears.
At the same time, doctors have noted an increase in the number of cases of ADD in children. This increases the likelihood of errors in determining a child’s diagnosis. After all, ADD and hearing loss in children have the same symptoms:
- Lack of response to speech appeal
- Emotional outbursts
- Difficulties in communicating with others
- Poor school performance
- Negligence
- Frequent answers to questions out of the blue
- Low self-esteem
In addition to these symptoms, the doctor may also note learning problems. These include impaired development of reading, writing, literacy skills, etc.
In some cases, a child may have both hearing loss and ADD at the same time. This does not negate the need to determine the true cause of poor performance and inattention on a case-by-case basis to avoid errors in diagnosis. Because hearing loss and ADD have different treatments!
It’s worth noting an important fact. Treatment for hearing loss significantly improves school performance whether the child has ADD or not!
How important is a correct diagnosis?
When treating any disorder, it is important to get the diagnosis right. Have you noticed symptoms of hearing loss in your child? Has child’s performance in school declined? Does the frequently interrupt you or turn up the volume on gadgets? You can get your child’s hearing tested anytime you want. Use the free hearing test online! It is an easy and effective test that will show you whether or not he has a hearing loss for further action. If you still have doubts, then make an appointment with your doctor for a more thorough check.
An accurate diagnosis is important when ADD or hearing loss is suspected. After all, the course of treatment and speed of recovery depends on it. It’s easier to diagnose hearing loss than ADHD due to more objective criteria. In some tests, the patient is not even required to participate in the diagnosis of hearing loss. In contrast, the patient is significantly more involved in the diagnosis of ADHD. Almost the entire diagnostic process is based on the recording of behavioral reactions, psychological status, and internal feelings in a question-and-answer format.
What to do if the child has both hearing loss and ADD? Doctors usually diagnose hearing loss first. They may also diagnose ADHD in time for treatment.
How are hearing loss and ADD dangerous for a child?
Hearing loss is a serious problem that changes an adult’s life before and after. If untreated, the problem quickly develops, disrupting daily life. For children, however, the situation is even more dangerous!
Hearing loss causes delayed development of speech skills and vocabulary acquisition. This can be avoided through early diagnosis and proper treatment, including the use of hearing aids and cochlear implants. You should not refuse help from a speech therapist either.
If a child can’t hear the teacher, by definition he won’t be able to do schoolwork correctly. The teacher will think that the child is just not diligent and attentive enough. All of this can lead to a misdiagnosis of ADD instead of hearing loss!
Does your child have hearing loss? But the prescribed treatment and interventions haven’t improved school performance? This could indicate the presence of ADD! If this is the case, a specific diagnosis must be made.
Remember that the key to successful treatment of hearing loss and ADD is to see the disorder in time, seek help, and make an accurate diagnosis. Therefore, your child’s health depends on you first! Be attentive and watch your child and his or her behavior. At the appearance of the first symptoms, do not waste time, make an appointment to see a doctor and be diagnosed. This will speed up your child’s recovery and get him back to a happy life!