Speech and language present many challenges for children with Down syndrome. Although most children with Down syndrome learn to speak and will use speech as their primary means of communication, many infants and toddlers may need assistance as they learn to use speech and language together.
Ear infections occur frequently in infancy and early childhood in all children.
When fluid is present over a long period, hearing may be affected. To prevent hearing problems, children should be followed by their pediatrician and visit an audiologist for annual auditory testing. Tympanometry is the most common test for middle ear fluid and middle ear pressure. A soft plug, which is connected to a tympanometer, is placed in the ear canal and the child hears a low noise. The tympanometer measures how well the eardrum moves to the transmission of the sound.