Vision Problems Are More Common in Kids With Hearing Loss

Children who already have sensorineural hearing loss also have more visual problems. The occurrence of reduced visual acuity in children with hearing loss was 21.7%, including refractive problems in 10.2% of the children and nonrefractive abnormalities in 12.8%, David H. Chi, M.D., of the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, and colleagues reported in the February issue of the Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Because children with hearing loss rely heavily on their other senses, undetected visual problems could have further detrimental effects on development. Dr. Chi's group recommended routine eye examinations for all children with sensorineural hearing loss in order to make an early diagnosis and start interventions to maximize visual acuity.

Suggested Reading:

• Signs Your Child Needs Glasses
• Milestones in Vision Development
• School Vision Screenings

_{Source: Phend, Crystal. Visual Problems Often Accompany Hearing Loss in Childhood. Medpage Today, 16 Feb 2009.}