Vision Problems are Common in Children with Hearing Loss

Did you know? About one-fifth of children who have a particular type of hearing loss also have visual disorders, according to a recent study.

An estimated one to three children out of 1,000 has some degree of sensorineural hearing loss, which occurs as a result of abnormalities in the inner ear or in the auditory center of the brain. Half of all cases in children result from environmental causes and half from genetic causes; one gene accounts for a large proportion of sensorineural hearing loss cases in Caucasian patients.

Because children with hearing loss rely heavily on their other senses, undiscovered visual problems could have further harmful effects on their development and untreated visual problems can become worse.

Since there is a correlation between hearing loss and vision loss in children frequent eye exams are extremely important. Eye examinations for all children with sensorineural hearing loss can lead to early diagnosis and to help minimize visual problems and significantly help children with hearing loss.

If your child has been diagnosed with hearing loss make an appoint now to get your child’s eye’s examined! Call our office at 480-994-1872 to make an appointment today or make an appointment online! 

This article reprinted with permission from the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart™ campaign (www.geteyesmart.org).