Did you know that 1 in 3 babies is born with some kind of hearing loss? This statistic is too high to ignore the possibility that your newborn may be suffering.
Did you know that 1 in 3 babies is born with some kind of hearing loss? This statistic is too high to ignore the possibility that your newborn may be suffering. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that every baby have a hearing evaluation done before the baby goes home from the hospital, but this doesn’t always happen. Or, it may be conducted incorrectly or inefficiently. This is why every newborn should have a hearing evaluation after they come home from the hospital. If you aren’t convinced, read on.
How are hearing evaluations conducted for newborns?
There are two types of hearing evaluations that can be done for newborns: Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR), and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). In the AABR evaluation, electrodes are placed on the baby’s head in order to measure how the hearing nerves react to sound waves. Sounds may be played through headphones in order to conduct this evaluation. OAE involves measuring the sound waves that are produced in the inner ear. This is measured by a small probe that is inserted into the baby’s ear. Neither of these evaluations run any risk of causing harm to the newborn.
Why do newborns need hearing evaluations?
Babies learn a lot from the sounds they hear. If they aren’t able to hear these correctly, it could impact their development. If hearing loss exists, it’s best to detect it as early as possible. This way, there’s less of a risk that the newborn’s development will be stunted. For instance, it may be necessary to teach them sign language; a new language is hard to learn later in life, so it’s best to raise them from at least the first six months with the language. It’s relatively easy to spot hearing loss in newborns–for example, they may not turn their head or react when a loud noise is made. However, in some cases, spotting hearing loss in your newborn might not be so simple. In order to make sure, a hearing evaluation is always the safest and smartest option.
Do you need a hearing evaluation conducted for your newborn? Call Bay Area Audiology today!
Ready to change the way you look at hearing loss? Our Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Trisha A. Bents Muth, is exceptionally experienced in the art of audiology, and is dedicated to providing the absolute best solutions. Bay Area Audiology has been working to give patients a comfortable environment, with thorough evaluations. We are independently owned, and unbiased when it comes to finding you the care you need.
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