To Hear, To See, To Learn

Hearing and vision are crucial to language development.

Hearing and vision are crucial to language development and other learning skills, yet problems with hearing or sight can be difficult to spot unless they are severe. Make sure your child’s checkups include tests for vision and hearing. Don’t hesitate to check with your pediatrician if you’re concerned about your child’s development in these areas.

If your child gets frequent ear or upper respiratory tract infections, a hearing test may be in order. Frequently blocked ears can affect hearing, language development, and learning.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that your child get her first vision screening no later than age 3. When visiting your pediatrician or a pediatric ophthalmologist, take advantage of special vision tests for preschoolers that don’t require knowledge of the alphabet.