A model of healthcare for children with hearing disorders
Głowacka, M.D.; Swidziński, P.; Mojs, E.; Frankowska, A.
Annales Academiae Medicae Stetinensis 55(3): 90-95
2009
ISSN/ISBN: 1427-440X PMID: 20698186 Document Number: 633408
Hearing disorders have risen today to the status of a civilization disease. Hearing loss during development or the prelingual age is an enormous problem for the child. Undiagnosed in time, hearing loss may lead to serious limitations in intellectual, cognitive, and emotional development of the child, and to difficulties in speaking, writing, reading, and memorising. This paper presents current structural solutions regarding healthcare for children with hearing disorders. The system of early detection of hearing disorders (mainly inborn) is coherent for neonates and small children but lacks a well-coordinated healthcare model for older hearing-impaired children, especially in the context of disclosing acquired hearing defects. A model of healthcare for children with hearing disorders covering every stage of development (age) is presented, aiming at improvements in the system of early detection of inborn and acquired hearing defects. The model provides for systematic monitoring of patients with hearing defects and offers the opportunity of early intervention. Furthermore, the model serves to follow the developmental dynamics of the communication process.