Newborn Hearing Screening in
Every year,
there are approximately 5/1000 babies born with hearing loss in the
Hearing is
an important tool in communication.
Early identification of hearing problems in children will enable earlier
intervention with speech and language services as well as any necessary
assistive devices (e.g. hearing aid).
Delayed identification of even of mild hearing loss may result in
language delays and behavior problems.
Otoacoustic Emission (OAE)
The most
common test preformed is the OAE. This
is done by placing
a small probe into the child’s ear canal.
A series of sounds (clicks) are produced in the ear through the probe
that gives information about the functioning of tiny hair cells located in the
cochlea (hearing organ). The test can
be done while your baby sleeps and does not cause any discomfort.
OAEs
only occur in normal to near normal hearing. To obtain an OAE, one needs an
unobstructed outer ear canal, absence of significant middle ear disease and fluid
and functioning cochlear hair cells. It
provides information on the frequency range from 1000 to 4000 Hz.
Brainstem Evoked Response (BSER)
The
Brainstem evoked response (BSER) is another type of hearing screening. This test
measures the brainstem’s responses to clicking sounds which checks the auditory
(hearing) pathways of the brainstem. It
is often performed as the second test if a child does not pass OAEs. This test is often referred to by many
different names, however they are all the same test:
o
brainstem
auditory evoked response (BAER)
o
brainstem
auditory evoked potential (BAEP)
o
auditory
brainstem response (ABR)
o
automated
auditory brainstem response
o
evoked
auditory potential
o
evoked
response audiometry
The test is
performed with the child laying still (or sleeping)
and remaining quiet. Electrodes are
placed on the child’s forehead, neck and shoulder. The child will hear clicking sounds or tone
bursts through rubber earphones, and the electrodes will pick up the brain's
responses to the sounds and record it on a graph.
Repeat screening
Often,
children do not pass their initial hearing screening. This may be due to fluid in the baby’s ear or
because the baby made noise during the first screening. A second test is routinely done if a child
does not pass their initial screening.
If the baby does not pass the second screening, the baby will be
referred to an otolaryngologist (ENT) and an audiologist for further evaluation.
If you
ever have questions or concerns, we would be happy to talk to you
or see your child at
anytime.
(203)245-0496.