Hearing and Speech Development

Question 1

At what point in-utero will a foetus be able to hear?

Answer 1

18 weeks

Question 2

At what point in utero will a foetus respond to sound/voice?

Answer 2

26 weeks

Question 3

How many babies will have severe bilateral hearing loss at birth?

Answer 3

1:1000

Question 4

In terms of speech and language, what will a baby do at 3 months?

Answer 4

Cooing, recognise mother’s voice

Question 5

In terms of speech and language, what will a baby do at 6 months?

Answer 5

Babbling, turn to sound, make happy and sad sounds

Question 6

In terms of speech and language, what will a baby do at 12 months?

Answer 6

Mama/dada, follows instructions

Question 7

In terms of speech and language, what will a baby do at 18 months?

Answer 7

Say a few words, recognise body parts, animals and simple commands

Question 8

In terms of speech and language, what will a baby do at 24 months?

Answer 8

Two word phrases, 50+ words, understand questions and follow commands

Question 9

There is a huge variation in speech and language developments, but generally when should action be taken for delayed development?

Answer 9

If the child is 6 months or more behind

Question 10

When is okay for a childs speech to not be fully developed at 2.5 years?

Answer 10

Bilingual

Question 11

When can a child be referred to speech and language therapy for a hearing test?

Answer 11

When they are 27 months

Question 12

What are the origins of profound hearing loss at birth?

Answer 12

Half are genetic and half are acquired e.g. maternal infection

Question 13

Who gets neonatal screening for hearing loss?

Answer 13

All babies

Question 14

How can you tell there is a hearing problem at a neonatal screen?

Answer 14

If there is no sound coming from the outer hair cells

Question 15

How are cases of hearing loss in neonates treated? What is the outcome of this?

Answer 15

Cochlear implant- these children can develop normal speech

Question 16

Describe Usher Syndrome?

Answer 16

Joint hearing and visual problems (retinitis pigmentosa) which is autosomal recessive and the commonest cause of joint hearing and visual loss

Question 17

Describe Pendred Syndrome?

Answer 17

Hearing loss associated with a goitre (euthyroid or mildly hypothyroid) which is autosomal recessive and due to a malformation of the inner ear

Question 18

Describe Alport’s Syndrome?

Answer 18

Hearing loss with eye abnormalities and progressive renal disease. Can be autosomal recessive or X-linkes, and is due to an abnormality in collagen IV