To learn more about pediatric treatments offered by our Philadelphia physicians at Broker, Cramer & Swanson; Ear, Nose & Throat, please fill out the form below.
826 Main Street
Suite 201
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 19460
Tel: 610-415-1100
Fax: 610-415-1101
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1201 County Line Road
Suite 101
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010
Tel: 610-520-0900
Fax: 610-520-0920
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525 Jamestown St
Suite 205
Philadelphia, PA 19128
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5 South Sunnybrook Road
Suite 300
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464
Tel: 610-326-3600
Fax: 610-326-4466
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255 Gordon Drive
Suite 101
Lionville, PA 19341
Tel: 610-524-5300
Fax: 610-524-0100
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525 Jamestown St
Suite 205
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Philadelphia Pediatric Physicians — Broker, Cramer, & Swanson Ear, Nose, & Throat
Many parents of children with hearing loss worry that their child won't have "normal" lives. While it is true that children with hearing loss experience challenges throughout their lives, technological advances and increasing communication options in schools can help them succeed and develop a sense of focus and self-discipline that will serve them throughout their lives. At Broker, Cramer & Swanson; Ear, Nose & Throat, based in Philadelphia, our physicians specializing in ear, nose, and throat concerns can help provide solutions for parents of children with varying degrees of hearing loss.
Early Detection
When hearing loss is discovered at an early age, solutions for managing it can be implemented early in the child's development. In the past, hearing loss could only be detected by observing a child's response to sounds. Today's technology makes it possible to test the hearing of sleeping infants. Two commonly performed methods of screening are Automated Brain Stem Response (ABR) and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). In ABR, earphones are placed over the baby's ears and his or her brain stem responses to a range of sounds are measured. OAE involves the insertion of a tiny probe into the baby's ear canal. This probe measures the functions of the inner ear.
Early Intervention
Since a child's capacity to learn language and speech skills is greatest during his or her first six years of life, it is important to introduce a customized program as soon as possible to help any child with hearing loss develop these essential skills. Hearing aids and cochlear implants are devices that can help a child hear better. At our practice, serving residents of Philadelphia, our physicians specializing in an array of ear, nose, and throat problems can determine which kind of hearing aid bests suits an individual child and counsel parents as to whether or not a cochlear implant may be the best solution.
- Hearing Aids. While hearing aids cannot perfectly correct hearing, they can amplify sound.
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Cochlear Implants. Parents of children with severe to profound hearing loss who have experienced little benefit from hearing aids may wish to consider cochlear implants. Surgically implanted in the ear, cochlear implants deliver sound directly to the auditory nerve.
Communication Options
A number of communication options for children with hearing loss have been implemented in schools across the country. To determine which of these programs are available in your area, contact your local school district. For parents in the Philadelphia area, the physicians at Broker, Cramer & Swanson; Ear, Nose & Throat may be able to help with difficult decisions regarding their children's communication options.
- American Sign Language. Children with profound hearing loss can be taught American Sign Language and use it as their primary method of communication.
- Cued Speech. This method involves using cues (hand shapes) along with verbal communication to help children connect various sounds to particular movements of the mouth.
- Auditory/Oral. This method helps children with cochlear implants make the most of their limited hearing, utilizing lip reading and verbal speech.
- Auditory/Verbal. The goal of auditory/verbal communication programs is to help children function in a regular classroom environment.
- Total Communication. This method employs a combination of communication options, including amplification (use of a hearing aid), speaking, lip reading, finger spelling, and an alternative to American Sign Language.
Our Ear, Nose, and Throat Experts Can Help Children with Hearing Loss
Parents of children with hearing loss in the Philadelphia area can contact our caring physicians. At our ear, nose, & throat practice, parents can receive expert advice and high-quality medical treatments for hearing loss.