Unilateral Hearing Loss
Have you heard this at the hospital, your doctor’s office, or even at your audiology office or school?
“Your baby has one “good” ear; they will be fine.”
“Let’s watch and wait until school-age.”
Keep on reading...
UNILATERAL HEARING LOSS Until recently, children with Unilateral Hearing Loss (sometimes called Single Sided Deafness (UHL or SSD) were not identified until school age. With newborn hearing screening, UHL can be detected much earlier. Research indicates that a percentage of children with UHL may be at risk for speech and language delays and/or academic challenges. The CO-Hear system offers consultation with families of children with UHL until that child reaches three years of age. As part of the consultative service, parents can choose to participate in regular surveys to track the baby’s development. In this way, parents will know what to look for and how to access early intervention if needed. (See the Resource Guide for CO-Hear Contacts, and Kelly Fernandez-Kroyer, your statewide Parent Guide for UHL).
The UHL monitoring program is available to families raising children with UHL hearing loss. Assessments are mailed from the University of Colorado at Boulder to help families track speech and language development. These assessments are mailed to families when a child is 6 months, 15 months, 21 months, 27 months and 33 months. If there are any concerns with your child’s development, you can contact the Colorado Hearing Resource Coordinator (CO-Hear) in your area or Colorado Hands and Voices Guide By Your Side (GBYS). Additional information can be found at https://csdb.colorado.gov/CO-Hear%20Services or by connecting with a GBYS.
