Growing up with hearing loss

Children with hearing loss frequently experience special difficulties in their social and academic development, particularly children who lost their hearing early in life. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the academic gap between children with hearing loss and other children widens as school becomes more difficult and advanced.

It is imperative that parents employ the help of an intervention professional to set their child up for success. A specialist can work on a child’s academic and social development, the latter being key because many children with hearing loss feel isolated from their peers, especially if the child does not know many other children with hearing loss.

The good news is that research shows children with hearing loss who get help very early in life can develop language skills at the same level as their peers. The important thing is to start seeing a specialist as soon as possible and involve the entire family in the program. Talk to your True Dental Discounts hearing plan audiologist to find out more information on child hearing loss – timing is critical.

Early signs of vision problems in children

Many people think adults are the only ones who have to worry about their visual health. In reality, lots of children have visual problems that may go unnoticed by their parents or teachers. According to Prevent Blindness America, there are many signs that a child is having difficulty seeing, and adults should be on the lookout for both visual and auditory clues that indicate a problem.

For instance, many children with visual issues have noticeably red, swollen or crossed eyes. Other signals include a child’s tendency to rub her eyes frequently, squint, tilt her head, complain that words are blurry, or hold books close to her face when reading. Some children may also close one eye or lean their head forward in an attempt to see something more clearly. Prevent Blindness America suggests that older children may verbally express their visual discomfort, using such phrases as:

• “My eyes are itchy.”
• “Everything seems blurry.”
• “I have a headache” or “I feel dizzy” – particularly after reading a book or doing homework.

If you notice any of these symptoms in your own child, talk to an eye doctor on your True Dental Discounts, vision plan as soon as possible. He or she can perform a complete visual examination and determine the extent of your child’s eye-care needs. In many cases, children who begin wearing glasses to improve their vision end up with better grades and a more focused interest in school. It’s a win-win situation!

Nurture your baby’s language and hearing skills

It is well-documented that young children learn to speak by listening. And as a parent, you play an integral role in helping your child develop proper speech and language skills – through interactive conversations, repetition, and example. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association recommends several helpful strategies to stimulate your baby’s brain:

• Talk constantly: Tell your baby where you’re going, what you’re doing, what you’re touching, what you’re seeing.
• Elaborate on words your baby uses. If she says “mama,” use it in several different sentences to help her understand context.
• Ask questions: “What’s this?”, “What do you see?”, “Is that a puppy or a kitty?”
• Be expressive. Change the inflection of your voice to indicate a question or excitement. This helps the baby learn tonal distinctions in our language.
• Use gestures. Waving, clapping, and signaling all help you convey your message.
• Reinforce your baby’s attempts at communicating. Repeat the sounds they make and teach them some of your own using consonant-based syllables like “ba” and “da.”

The first two years of your child’s life is a critical time in his language development. If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s hearing or speech, talk to an audiologist on your True Dental Discounts, hearing plan. He or she can evaluate your child and test for any possible hearing loss. The earlier hearing loss is discovered, the quicker a child can begin learning.

Latex allergies and your oral health

People who frequently come into contact with products containing natural rubber latex may develop an allergy to this common ingredient. While typically found in household products like balloons, pacifiers, tires, and shoes, latex is also found in many medical items like masks, gloves, and bandages. Because of this, it is important to identify any sensitivity you may have toward latex and inform your health care professional.

According to the American Dental Association, people at increased risk of developing latex allergies include health care workers, those who have undergone numerous surgeries, and rubber industry workers. Someone with a sensitivity to latex products may exhibit symptoms ranging from minor irritations like nasal congestion to severe anaphylaxis that could be life-threatening if not treated.

If you know or suspect you are allergic to natural rubber latex, be sure to tell your True Dental Discounts plan dentist prior to your next appointment. He or she will then make a note to use latex-free alternatives at all subsequent visits to protect you from a reaction. For more information, talk to your doctor or dentist about your symptoms and their possible causes. Together, you can work to create the optimal environment for your health.

Oral complications of HIV

According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, people living with HIV face an elevated risk of oral health issues. In fact, studies indicate more than one-third of people with HIV have oral health problems as a result of a weakened immune system. Common issues include oral warts, thrush, canker sores, fever blisters, and white hair-like growth in the mouth. Fortunately, most of these can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications.

Another serious issue faced by people living with HIV is dry mouth. This occurs when a person does not have enough saliva to keep their mouth moist. Dry mouth can cause a person to feel like their lips are chapped, and their mouth is sticky or even burning. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research suggests HIV patients treat the symptoms of dry mouth by sipping water, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, not eating salty foods, chewing sugarless gum, and using a humidifier at night. In some cases, a health professional will also prescribe artificial saliva.

To learn more about the special issues faced by people with HIV, talk to a dentist on your True Dental Discounts, dental plan. He or she can give you an overview of common conditions and their symptoms and work with you to develop an oral care plan that fits your life.

Remember: It’s extremely important to take care of any existing issues before they worsen and cause other serious health problems.

New prescription drug rids children of stubborn head lice

If you or your child has ever had lice, you know how difficult it can be to clear up. This is especially true if the lice have become resistant to the products usually recommended to kill them. Studies have shown that in some cases, lice become resistant to the typical pyrethroid treatments, leaving parents at a loss of what to do to remove the parasites.

In these instances, many people are now turning to Stromectol, a pill newly introduced that contains ivermectin, which is used to prevent heartworm in dogs. When tested, the drug cleared all lice in 95 percent of patients after two weeks. The effectiveness of Stromectol was discussed in the New England Journal of Medicine in March. In the article, study results indicated that one young girl experienced seizures after taking the pill, but such negative side effects are not expected to be common.

To learn more about drugs like Stromectol, talk your doctor. By using your True Dental Discounts - prescription plan, you can get significant savings on everyday prescriptions. Find out how by calling 1-800-747-6190.

I’m losing my night and peripheral vision – what could be the cause?

Although many eye conditions develop later in life as an effect of aging, others are caused by genetic factors and may begin to present themselves much earlier. One such condition is retinitis pigmentosa – a disease that causes damage to the rods and cones in a person’s retina. Rods are responsible for both peripheral and night vision, and as they become damaged, the person with RP slowly begins to lose these types of sight.

The American Optometric Association suggests that signs of RP often become apparent in childhood or adolescence, with night vision typically declining first. Fortunately, the disease is gradual, meaning a person may not develop a severe case for many years. Once the disease does progress, however, the patient may only be able to see straight ahead in a form of “tunnel vision.” At this stage, people must adapt to their new range of vision and stay aware of their surroundings. Otherwise, they may accidentally bump into furniture or other objects that are no longer in their peripheral vision.

If you suspect you or your child may have retinitis pigmentosa, talk to an optometrist on your True Dental Discounts - vision plan that specializes in low vision. He or she can provide you with valuable information about ways to slow the progression of vision loss, including making changes to your diet to include vitamin A and lutein. And although there is currently no cure for RP, your eye doctor can introduce you to several of the low-vision aids available, such as magnifying lenses and night-vision scopes. Such doctors are also good sources of information about living productively and independently with low vision. Find out more by scheduling an appointment today.