Hearing impairment is relatively uncommon in newborns.
Approximately three out of every 1,000 babies are born with a
hearing loss each year. If not detected early, the effects of
congenital hearing loss can be great. Hearing loss affects speech
development, social, emotional, economical well being, and learning.
At Munson Medical Center, all newborns are screened
using a test called otoacoustic emissions (OAE). OAEs are quiet
echoes that are emitted from a healthy inner ear when a sound
is presented to the ear. This test rules out a moderate to severe
or profound cochlear hearing loss.
The
test involves inserting a small rubber probe tip into the infant's
ear. A computer-driven system stimulates the cochlea in the inner
ear with a frequency sweep. The infant must be quiet and fairly
still for the test. Additionally, infants with abnormally functioning
middle ear problems, such as middle ear fluid, will not the pass
the screening.
If the infant doesn't pass the screening, he or
she should be re-screened before one month of age. If the infant
doesn't pass the second screening, then a complete diagnostic
hearing evaluation using auditory brainstem response testing (ABR)
should be performed as soon as possible.
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
The
test involves inserting a small rubber probe tip into the infant's
ear. A computer-driven system stimulates the cochlea in the inner
ear with a frequency sweep. The infant must be quiet and fairly
still for the test. Additionally, infants with abnormally functioning
middle ear problems, such as middle ear fluid, will not the pass
the screening.