Please Check My Hearing Because. . . . . .
. . . hearing loss is invisible and is the most common birth disorder in children. It affects as many as 16,000 babies born in the U.S. each year. In Alabama about 320 babies are born with or develop hearing loss each year and many hospitals are now testing newborns for hearing loss. Hearing can be checked in the newborn nursery when babies are a few hours of age with non-invasive techniques that are very cost efficient. In fact, a hearing screening program costs less than any other mandated newborn screening program. If hearing loss is detected earlier, then developmental outcome will be better in many areas including speech, language, social, academic, and vocational.
Click here for the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Fact Sheet by NCHAM
Click here for the Hearing Services Resource List
Newborn hearing screening is available through this hospital program. Every baby will be screened for hearing loss. The goal of the program is to identify children with hearing loss at an early age so that proper follow-up and treatment can be recommended. The effects of even mild hearing loss on speech and language acquisition during the critical first two years of life can result in significant speech and language delays. Currently, the average age of identification for severe to profound hearing loss in the United States is 2 to 3 years. The delay in identification is even greater when the hearing loss is in only one ear or is mild. These children may not be identified until they are 5 or 6 years of age.
Statistics indicate that three to four newborns per 1,000 experience some degree of hearing loss. Although these statistics indicate that it is unlikely that your baby will have severe hearing loss, if there is one, it is important to know about it as soon as possible.
The first years of a child's life are critical for developing speech and language skills. Because hearing loss could prevent your baby's normal language abilities from developing fully, it is important to diagnose hearing problems early.
How will the test be performed?
Testing is performed with otoacoustic emissions (OAE) or automated auditory brain stem response (AABR). Both methods are fast, simple, and painless to the infant. OAE involves placement of a tiny probe in the infant's ear and AABR uses electrodes placed on the infant's head. Hearing levels are measured automatically. Testing is conducted in a relatively quiet room when your infant is calm and takes only a few minutes. A nurse, an audiologist, or other staff reviews the results.
What if the results indicate my baby 'refers' for more testing?
If your baby "refers" on the first screening, which isn't unusual, you will be contacted to have a second screening, as ordered by your pediatrician. Many newborns have residual fluid in the ear canals from the birth process, which can interfere with test results. Because of this, it is common for infants to be checked a second time.
If my newborn's hearing is tested and shown to be OK, do I need to retest later?
The results of the first screening show how your baby is hearing at the time. Some infants with recurrent ear infections, chronic illness, or a family history of hearing loss may develop hearing loss later in life. It is important to monitor your child's hearing and speech as they grow.
Hearing Development and Hearing Impairment
Sound awareness begins at 26 weeks gestation:
* Fetal heart rate increases with novel sound
* Fetus jumps when loud sound is presented
Sound is meaningful to newborns
* Newborn is comforted by mom's voice
* Newborn can distinguish mom's voice from other female voices
* Infant recognizes nursery rhymes read to them before birth (increased heart rate)
Early sound awareness is essential for normal speech and language development
* Early sound deprivation, even moderate, causes faulty development of the auditory centers of the brain
* Undiagnosed hearing loss causes irreparable delay in language development if present during first 18 months of life
Hearing loss in newborns is invisible
* Symptoms frequently not evident to obstetricians, pediatricians, or parents
* "You have a perfect baby!"
* "We have such a good baby. He sleeps through all kinds of noise."
Babies born with undiagnosed hearing loss develop into toddlers with limited speech or verbal language who may also exhibit:
* Atypical vocal quality
* Gestural language
* Behavioral management problems
* "You have a beautiful toddler." (but no words and little active)
Toddlers with poor communication related to undiagnosed hearing loss
* Have significant delays in communication
* Lack readiness for preschool experience
* Have difficulty in interpersonal relationships
Newborn hearing screening can make this scenario different
We can diagnose hearing loss in newborns at a few hours of age with cost efficient technology and methods that may take less than 5 minutes per baby. Hearing aids with early intervention can help children with hearing loss stay on schedule with speech and language development and take advantage of life's opportunities. Research studies indicate that babies with hearing loss diagnosed before 6 months of age maintain the same vocabulary skills as hearing children at 36 months of age. Newborn hearing screening and early identification of hearing loss can make a lifetime of difference.
Indicators for Hearing Loss Newborn (Birth to 28 Days)
1. Family history of hereditary childhood sensorineural loss
2. Born with infection such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, herpes, or syphilis
3. Head or face abnormalities, abnormalities of outer ear or ear canal
4. Birthweight less than 3.3 lbs. (1,500 grams)
5. Elevated bilirubin at a level that required an exchange blood transfusion
6. Medications that can damage the ear or hearing
7. Presence of bacterial meningitis
8. APGAR score of 0-4 at 1 minute or 0-6 at 5 minutes
9. Mechanical ventilation for breathing lasting 5 days or longer
10. Presence of a group of characteristics known to be associated with hearing loss
Milestones
in Hearing Development
From birth to three months your baby should:
* Startle or jump when there is sudden, loud sound
* Stir or awaken when someone talks or makes noise
* Recognize and be comforted by the sound of your voice
Between three and six months
* Turn their eyes in the direction of an interesting sound
* Respond to your voice
* Turn in the direction of their name being called
Between six and twelve months
* Understand such common words as "no" and "bye-bye"
If your baby does not react in a similar manner, consult your physician,
an audiologist, or the Alabama Ear Institute.
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