Why Hearing and Balance Are the Golden Keys to Child Development / Recommendations for Parents
Why Hearing and Balance Are the Golden Keys to Child Development / Recommendations for Parents
Dr. Mahna Javanbakht, Head of the Audiology Department at the university, emphasizing the fundamental right of children to enjoy complete physical and mental health, warned against neglecting the two vital senses of hearing and balance, and stated that late diagnosis of disorders in these areas can forever destroy the golden opportunities for a child's growth.
According to the university's web correspondent, Dr. Mahna Javanbakht, Head of the Audiology Educational Department at the university, on the eve of International Children's Day, she said: No child should be deprived of their vital growth opportunities due to a lack of parental awareness or limited access to primary services.
Stating that the two senses of hearing and balance are often overlooked as two determining factors in the path of a child's evolution, she emphasized the importance of early intervention.
The Ear: The Gateway to the World of Language and Cognition
The Head of the university's Audiology Department described hearing as the cornerstone of cognitive, linguistic, and social skill development, stating: If hearing loss is not identified during the golden time, it can severely disrupt a child's communication and learning abilities. Based on global standards, newborn screening should be performed at birth and at the latest before one month of age, and therapeutic interventions should begin by the end of the sixth month.
Pointing out that newborn screenings are being carried out with extensive coverage in the country, she added: Caring for hearing health between the ages of 3 and 5 is also very vital, because recurrent respiratory infections can lead to auditory processing problems in the future.
Dr. Javanbakht also warned against the excessive use of headphones and hands-free devices in children and the decreasing age at which acoustic injuries occur.
Balance: The Overlooked Link to Motor Development
In another part of her talk, Dr. Javanbakht discussed the role of the vestibular system of the inner ear in maintaining balance and explained that a disorder in this system can lead to delays in sitting, walking, and even concentration problems during school.
She clarified: Many children with balance problems are identified by frequent falls or lagging behind their peers instead of complaining of dizziness, and unfortunately, this is often ignored by parents.
The Head of the university's Audiology Department concluded by emphasizing that the evaluation of the balance system's function can be performed quickly, painlessly, and within the first months of life.
She urged parents to be sensitive to warning signs such as lack of reaction to sound, speech delay, and motor problems, and to definitely utilize specialized evaluations under the supervision of audiologists, as late diagnosis will come at the cost of losing the golden opportunities for a child's growth.
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