The Importance of Early Identification and Intervention Programme for Children with Hearing Impairment in Nigeria

This paper examined the importance of early identification and intervention programme for children with hearing impairment in Nigeria. The paper is an expository paper which focuses on the concept of hearing impairment, identification and intervention programmes for children with hearing impairment. Effects of hearing impairment on a child were also discussed. Behavioural signs and symptoms of children with hearing impairment were identified. The paper also stressed the importance of early identification and intervention programme for children with hearing impairment. Problems facing early identification and intervention were highlighted. Various methods of identification and assessment of hearing impairment were mentioned. The paper concludes that children with hearing impairment can adjust well both in school and in the society if hearing impairment is identified early with the support of special intervention programme. Useful recommendations that will motivate governments in sponsoring research projects into incidence, prevalence and prevention of hearing impairment at the local and state level were proffered.

Keywords: Identification, Hearing Impairment, Intervention, Audiologist, Otologist