This year, for the first time, the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), Washington, is teaming up with CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), Landover, Md, to help raise awareness of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder  during ADHD Awareness Week, September 13 through 17.

BHI is urging hearing health professionals to participate in this important outreach effort. Studies show that hearing loss, auditory processing disorders (APD), and other communication disorders frequently coexist with ADHD and other cognitive disorders. 

Children struggling with undiagnosed hearing loss and/or APD often exhibit similar behavior characteristics as those with ADHD. When left unaddressed, both ADHD and hearing health issues can jeopardize a child’s academic performance, social development, and self-esteem.

ADHD is the most commonly diagnosed neurobehavioral disorder in children in the United States today, affecting as many as 3 to 7% of school-aged children, according to BHI. CHADD is a leading nonprofit organization serving individuals with ADHD and their families.

With the start of the 2010/2011 school year  BHI strongly encourages hearing health professionals to help ensure that parents and educators get the information they need to help America’s young people overcome ADHD and any coexisting hearing health issues. By promoting ADHD Awareness Week, hearing professionals can help make parents, teachers, educators, and communities aware of the symptoms of ADHD and of the long-term implications on a child’s life if left unaddressed.

Moreover, the effort will help underscore the importance of ruling out hearing loss and APD when making a careful and accurate ADHD diagnosis. And it will encourage appropriate treatment by a hearing health professional, when hearing loss and/or APD co-exist with ADHD.

There are a number of ways you can join in the effort:

  • Disseminate information on ADHD, including BHI’s backgrounder on ADHD and hearing health
  • Issue a press release customized for your practice
  • Send information through listservs.
  • Hang posters in prominent locations such as your office, library, local mall, or church.

Click here for more information about ADHD Awareness Week, ADHD, and to download materials. 

[Source: BHI]