Why Newborn Hearing Exams Are Important

When you have a newborn, it can be easy to become concerned. You become focused on their eating and if they're growing within sizing guidelines. But, one aspect of your baby's health that you need to call your attention to is their hearing. Unfortunately, many infants do have trouble hearing. This often goes undiagnosed until they reach the age where they can talk.

Why Is Early Detection So Imperative?

It's believed that around 3 out of every 1,000 newborns have some sort of hearing loss. It's crucial for new parents to seek out a hearing exam by a licensed hearing care professional. These can help detect if their child is experiencing any sort of hearing loss at a young age.

The first two years of a child's life are important to their physical development. It is also important for their communication, learning, and emotional skills. Getting them diagnosed as soon as possible is an absolute must. Infants that go undiagnosed until they are older will have major developmental setbacks.

Main Types Of Newborn Hearing Tests

Licensed audiologists have two types of hearing tests that they use for newborns. These are the auditory brainstem response (ABR) test and otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test. The ABR measures the response of your infant's hearing nerve with the help of electrodes. An OAE test uses earphones and a microphone to send a sound wave echo through your child's ear canal. Your audiologist will measure the reflection of the sound's echo through the canal. This determines your child's hearing ability.

What To Do If Your Child Receives Abnormal Hearing Results

Getting abnormal hearing results from your newborn's hearing exam isn't uncommon. There are many issues that could cause these irregular results. This includes ear wax blockage, an ear infection, or even fluid buildup inside the ear. Many of these conditions are only temporary. Your medical professional can treat these.

Speak with your medical professional about diagnosing and remedying any temporary conditions. You'll want to follow up by getting regular hearing exams for your newborn. This is to see if the issue has been completely treated or if there is still a problem with their hearing. Your audiologist will recommend how often your newborn should get a hearing exam. These follow-up appointments are only to follow up on any irregular results.

Call Us Today

If you're interested in getting a hearing exam for your newborn, then it's time to contact us. Let our hearing care team help you and your children with your hearing needs.