Don't Ignore Newborn Hearing Tests

Purpose and Methods of Infant Hearing Test

Babies who are born into the world will learn things around them through their ears. The slightest disturbance in the sense of hearing if not treated immediately can affect the baby's communication and language skills.

Hearing tests are generally done after the birth process. This aims to determine the function of the baby's sense of hearing to function normally or experience interference. If hearing loss is found in the baby, the doctor can immediately take treatment.

Newborn hearing tests are done in two ways, which take only five to ten minutes. This hearing test is not painful, in fact some of your baby will fall asleep during the test.

Test Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR). The nurse places a sensor on the baby's scalp. This sensor is connected to a computer network that measures the baby's brainwave activity, in response to clicks sent via the earphone small.
Test Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). This hearing test measures sound waves in the baby's inner ear. A small device is placed in the baby's ear to produce a soft clicking sound, then the baby's ear response to the sound is recorded.

Newborn Hearing Test Result

It does not take long to obtain the results of a hearing test on a baby. In fact, test results can usually be obtained immediately after the test is completed. If the results of the hearing test state that both ears of the baby can respond well, then most likely the baby does not have ear problems.

If your baby fails a hearing test, don't be discouraged. This doesn't mean your baby has a hearing loss. Your baby's failure may be due to other factors, requiring further hearing tests to determine the cause and location of the hearing loss.

Some of the causes of hearing test failure in infants include:

Fluid in the middle ear, or wax blocking the ear canal
The test room is too noisy
The baby moves too much or cries.

If necessary, a follow-up examination with an ENT doctor may be recommended. Generally the test will be done 4 weeks later. The test will not hurt the baby and will take about 1-2 hours. At first glance this hearing test will be similar to the previous test, but can provide more detailed results.

However, these types of newborn hearing tests do not always detect permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss may also appear later in childhood. Therefore, consult a doctor or medical professional to get information about the development of your child's abilities and the best treatment for possible disorders.