Approximately two to four of every 1,000 children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing, making hearing loss the most common birth disorder. Many studies have shown that early diagnosis of hearing loss is crucial to the development of speech, language, cognitive, and psychosocial abilities. Treatment is most successful if hearing loss is identified early, preferably within the first month of life. Still, one in every four children born with serious hearing loss does not receive a diagnosis until age three or older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first opportunity to test a child\u2019s hearing is in the hospital shortly after birth. If your child\u2019s hearing is not screened before leaving the hospital, it is recommended that screening be done within the first month of life. Should test results indicate a possible hearing loss, seek further evaluation as soon as possible; preferably within the first three to six months of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, health organizations across the country, including the AmericanAcademy of Otolaryngology \u2013 Head and Neck Surgery, have worked to highlight the importance of screening all newborns for hearing loss. These efforts are working. In 2003, more than 85 percent of all newborns in the United States were screened for hearing loss. In fact, some 39 states have passed legislation requiring some form of hearing screening of newborns before they leave the hospital. This still leaves more than a million babies who are not screened for hearing loss before leaving the hospital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two tests are used to screen infants and newborns for hearing loss. They are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) involves placement of a sponge earphone in the ear canal to measure whether the ear can respond properly to sound. In normal-hearing children, a measurable \u201cecho\u201d should be produced when sound is emitted through the earphone. If no echo is measured, it could indicate a hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Auditory brain stem response (ABR) is a more complex test. Earphones are placed on the ears and electrodes are placed on the head and ears. Sound is emitted through the earphones while the electrodes measure how your child\u2019s brain responds to the sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If either test indicates a potential hearing loss, your physician may suggest a follow-up evaluation by an otolaryngologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loss can also occur later childhood, after a newborn leaves the hospital. In these cases, parents, grandparents, and other caregivers are often the first to notice that something may be wrong with a young child\u2019s hearing. Even if your child\u2019s hearing was tested as a newborn, you should continue to watch for signs of hearing loss including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your child exhibits any of these signs, report them to your provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hearing loss in children can be temporary or permanent. It is important to have hearing loss evaluated by a physician who can rule out medical problems that may be causing the hearing loss, such as otitis media (ear infection), excessive earwax congenital malformations, or a genetic hearing loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If it is determined that your child\u2019s hearing loss is permanent, hearing aids may be recommended to amplify the sound reaching your child\u2019s ear. Ear surgery may be able to restore or significantly improve hearing in some instances. For those with certain types of profound hearing loss who do not benefit sufficiently from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be considered. Unlike a hearing aid, a cochlear implant bypasses damaged parts of the auditory system and directly stimulates the hearing nerve and allows the child to hear louder and clearer sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will need to decide whether or not your deaf child will communicate primarily with oral speech and\/or sign language, and seek early intervention to prevent language delays. Research indicates that habilitation of hearing loss by age six months will prevent subsequent language delays. Other communication strategies such as auditory verbal therapy, lip reading, and cued speech may also be used in conjunction with a hearing aid or cochlear implant, or independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n