Overview
- Hearing loss is extremely common in Down syndrome
- Poor hearing can have a major impact on development of language, behaviour and social functioning
- It is essential that all people with Down syndrome have regular screening for hearing loss
- Conductive hearing loss, due to glue ear is most frequently encountered in children but may persist into adulthood
- Age related hearing loss is more common in those with Down syndrome , and occurs more frequently and at a younger age than in the general population
- Grommets play a part in management of glue ear in Down syndrome , but benefit may be short-lived
- Hearing aids can be very effectively used by children and adults with Down syndrome
DSMIG Guidance
Best Practice Guidance For The Management Of Hearing Issues In People With Down Syndrome
DSMIG guidance
Last updated: June 2017
Presentations at DSMIG Meetings
Materials from meetings are available for members only who need to log in to access them. For details on how to become a member click here.
Additional Resources
Down’s syndrome and childhood deafness – Joint publication by National Deaf Children’s Society, DSMIG and the DSA
Surgical Management of Otitis Media with effusion in Children. NICE (2008) National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Clinical guideline 60.
Early hearing loss and language abilities in children with Down syndrome.Laws G, Hall A. Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2014 Mar 21. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.12077
Book Chapter – Hearing Issues
Emma McNeill, Patrick Sheehan and Liz Marder
in
Down Syndrome – Current Perspectives
Edited by Richard Newton , Shiela Puri and Liz Marder