title: Communication and behavioural disorders among children with hearing loss increases risk of mental health disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the mental health and associated risk factors of children with hearing loss.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional analysis of the impact of hearing loss among Australian children using data drawn from Wave 1 of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (2004) (LSACs) (n=4589). LSACs provides data which assesses family circumstances, children's hearing problems, chronic health conditions, social and emotional difficulties, communications disorders and language, motor skills and educational outcomes. Outcomes for children aged 4-5 years identified with hearing loss (n=93) were compared with 4,496 children without hearing loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with hearing loss showed elevated prevalence across most dimensions of emotional and behavioural difficulties, and on indicators of communication disorders, language and cognitive development, and motor skills. Reduced receptive language skills and increased difficulties understanding others were predictive of increased psychosocial difficulties in children with hearing problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Australian children with hearing problems face multiple concurrent health and developmental problems. Moreover, children with hearing problems exhibit behavioural problems when they do not understand what is going on around them. Without appropriate interventions, these children are at risk of developing mental health disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An epidemiological study of hearing in children is indicated. Children with receptive hearing problems require access to amplification, communication training, and psychosocial support. Attention must also be given to building design to reduce physical barriers to hearing.
authors.affiliation: School of Sociology, The Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Anthony.hogan@anu.edu.au
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shipley
authors.forename: Lyndall
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strazdins
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Purcell
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baker
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D008603:Mental Health; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors