Visual and hearing problems have a direct impact not only on development and learning, but also on psychological and social aspects. Hence the importance of early detection and correction. Pediatric specialists advise parents to perform the diagnostic tests described below to ensure good visual and hearing health of their children.
Early detection, both of hearing and visual problems, allows in some cases to solve the problem and in others, at least, to correct the degree of hearing or vision of the patient. In any case, the earlier vision and hearing problems are detected, the better the prognosis of the pathology. Moreover, the earlier these deficits are corrected, the sooner children’s learning, psychomotor development and social relationships improve.
Diagnosis of deafness in the first years of life
During the immediate neonatal period, i.e. during the first days of life, Auditory Evoked Potentials are performed to detect congenital deafness. This diagnostic test studies the reaction of the nervous system to auditory stimuli.
From the age of three or four, periodic audiometries are performed to detect late onset congenital deafness and, above all, acquired deafness. In addition, the external auditory canal and the eardrum are examined by otoscopy to detect infections and other ear pathologies at every well child check-up.
Early detection of vision defects
The detection of visual problems begins at birth with periodic examination of the anatomy of the eye and ocular reflexes. These evaluations allow detection of congenital anomalies, tumors and ocular motility disorders.
At 12 months of life, screening by autorefraction is performed. The purpose of this test is to detect asymmetries in vision and to measure refractive errors in order to assess the need for spectacle correction. This test is repeated periodically every year.
Later, at around three or four years of age, visual acuity tests, binocular vision tests and color vision tests are added. The entire screening is also repeated annually.
This schedule of diagnostic tests can be changed if at any time a hearing or vision problem is suspected. If necessary, the pediatrician will refer the child to an ophthalmologist or otolaryngologist.