Children develop their ability to speak over time much differently from other children. As it is, however, if a child has trouble producing spoken words, following directions that are simple, or communicating, there may be other issues at play. Some of these additional issues may include medical (ear, nose, throat) reasons for not being able to hear and speak correctly.
An evaluation conducted by an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist can determine whether or not a child has problems with hearing that may be causing the child to have trouble developing his or her ability to speak. By diagnosing these issues at an early stage of development, a parent can help their child develop better communication skills and eliminate a potential lifetime challenge. Understanding how to utilize the services of an ENT, parents can prepare their child for a successful future.
Speech Delay ENT: When Children Need Medical Evaluation
Many young children experience speech delays during the early stages of their development. Some will eventually outgrow these delays and develop normal language skills, while others may need medical intervention. An ENT evaluation at an early age will assist in identifying the condition promptly and assist in selecting the best course of treatment for the child.
Delayed speech has several medical and developmental causes
The delay in speech for children includes children who do not reach appropriate milestones regarding communication. Children should begin speaking 1-2 word phrases by age 1 and short phrases (2-4 words) by age 2.
Causes of delayed speech:
Children frequently have hearing issues, which remain one of the leading causes of delayed speech or language. Even small amounts of hearing loss make it challenging for children to recognize sounds. The absence of clear auditory input makes it difficult for children to accurately imitate speech sounds.
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Early ENT evaluation prevents long-term speech problems
The ears, nose, throat, and breathing passages are evaluated by an ENT physician. This evaluation helps identify if speech problems are due to a physical cause.
Most families do not seek help for their child’s speech until much later. Many parents believe that their child’s speech will develop normally over time. As a result, any delay in hearing develops into a further delay of speech.
The ENT’s evaluation allows for:
- Hearing tests done correctly
- Fluid to be seen in the ear
- Airway blockage is observed
- Medical treatment or surgery is provided appropriately.
If we catch these problems early, the child has a better chance of developing normal speech than if we wait until later.
Hearing issues in children strongly affect speech development
The process of a child’s acquisition of speech is through listening to sounds. Hearing impairment disrupts this process.
Some common hearing disabilities include:
- Middle ear fluid
- Recurring ear infections
- Congenital hearing loss
- Obstructions in the ear canal
A partial loss of hearing affects how children process sound and hear clearly. This can result in children being unable to pronounce words properly and showing delayed development of vocabulary.
An ENT physician will evaluate hearing using testing appropriate for the age of the child to measure the ability to hear speech sounds and pitch/tone.
ENT hearing tests detect hidden communication barriers
Hearing tests conducted by an ENT do not require the patient to verbalize. The hearing test determines the functioning of the ear and nerve.
The following are general examples of ENT hearing tests:
- Otoacoustic Emissions
- Tympanometry
- Pure-tone Audiometry
- Behavioural Hearing Assessment
Through each of these tests, an ENT can diagnose:
- a build-up of fluid behind the eardrum
- nerve damage
- ear pressure problems
- inner ear disorders
Lastly, hidden hearing loss can lead to delayed speech development; however, once diagnosed physician can provide targeted care.
Repeated ear infections interfere with language learning
Due to the inflammation and accumulation of liquid in the ear as a result of Ear Infections, Sound transmission is inhibited.
Children who are experiencing Ear Infections frequently will go through periods of hearing loss for short periods; this can impact their ability to learn to speak.
Symptoms may include:
- Difficulty responding to sounds
- Increasing volume of the TV (Again)
- Delayed formation of words
- Unclear speech
There are various medical treatments available through an ENT professional, including Medications and Ear Tubes. Ear Tubes allow for drainage of liquid from the ear(s) & restoration of clarity of sound (Hearing). Once hearing has improved, speech development will begin to increase significantly.
Timely treatment helps children regain normal speech milestones
The majority of children who have a speech delay experience improvement once their medical issues have been addressed with an ENT doctor. When children’s hearing is restored, they will again be able to hear sounds clearly.
For a child who has been treated by an ENT doctor, the child generally experiences:
- Recognizing sounds accurately
- Expanding their vocabulary
- Producing all sounds in English accurately
- Forming correct sentences with appropriate word order
By preventing speech delays, long-term social and learning problems are avoided. Speech delay also affects confidence and school performance. By receiving prompt ENT care, children develop healthy communication skills.
Speech therapy and ENT care work best together
Working together, ENT doctors and Speech Therapists assist children in their Sound Development and Speech Clarity development.
By collaborating, they achieve the following:
- Improved Hearings
- Increased Speech Clarity
- Faster Progression of Learning
- More Consistent Progression
A child can benefit from both therapies if they have hearing loss. ENT Care is an essential part of ensuring that the speech therapy is effective. Combining the two treatments will produce the best results for a child’s Speech Issue.
