Critical Review of Current Audiometric Screening Practices and the Impact of Hearing Loss on Preschool and School-Aged Children

The issue of hearing loss in children of school and preschool age is often a neglected problem. As hearing loss prevalence is expected to rise due to factors like urban noise and early exposure to loud technologies, it is critical to address its developmental consequences, particularly in children. Hearing loss in children not only impairs communication but also leads to emotional instability, depression, social isolation and worse academic performance, further diminishing their quality of life. This review highlights the need for improved hearing loss screening and diagnostic procedures, particularly in preschool-aged children, to mitigate the cognitive, linguistic, and social challenges caused by undetected hearing impairments. The paper discusses the mechanisms of normal hearing, the classification of hearing loss, and various objective and semi-objective screening methods, emphasizing the inadequacies of current newborn screening programs, which often miss mild and progressive hearing loss cases. Recommendations include the development of enhanced screening protocols and educational programs for parents and educators to ensure early intervention and support for affected children.