Key points about hearing loss

  • Early rescreening is better than later rescreening; do not wait to confirm a possible hearing loss.
  • Infants of any age can have their hearing screened, assessed, and managed.
  • Hearing screening programs indicate that a hearing loss is likely, however, an audiologic assessment determines the type and degree of hearing loss.
  • Degree of hearing loss is no longer a factor in determining the functional outcome for infants and children since auditory brain centers can be accessed and developed through the early use of amplification and cochlear implants.
  • Ninety-five percent of babies with hearing loss are born to hearing and speaking families.
  • An accurate diagnosis of hearing loss requires a test battery approach using both behavioral and objective tests selected on the basis of the child’s developmental age.