Referral to a speech and language therapist can add value by:

• Working with an audiology team to assess current levels of speech and language functioning

• Determining which speech, language and communication needs relate solely to hearing problems and identifying, by differential diagnosis, if the child has any other speech, language and communication needs

ROYAL COLLEGE OFSPEECH LANGUAGE

THERAPISTS

tinyurl.com/7-signs-booklet

“My child getslots of colds,

and oftendoesn’t hearwhat I say”

Communication diffi culties can be caused by glue ear/otitis media.

There is also a possibility that the child may have permanent childhood deafness. Although the majority of deaf children are identifi ed through the newborn screening programme, some children with progressive or sudden onset hearing loss may be missed and should be referred to audiology. Children under the age of fi ve are the largest group affected by glue ear, though for some it can persist into adolescence. Glue ear can cause temporary and fl uctuating deafness, delayed speech development in young children and affect children’s behaviour and their educational progress.

Children with cleft lip and palate, or with genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, may be more likely to get glue ear because they may have smaller Eustachian tubes. As well as referral to a speech and language therapist, referral to an ear, nose and throat clinic may be considered.