subject: What To Do When Your Newborn Fails A Newborn Hearing Test [print this page] Most parents may not think much about newborn screening for their child's ability to hear. To most, it is a precaution. Many times infants will fail this initial hearing test due to fluid in the ears left from birth. This does not mean that they will never be able to perceive sound. Usually a child is referred to an audiologist for follow-up where an infant is then tested again to see if there is an actual problem.
Follow-up is important. Unfortunately, close to half of the babies who fail their initial hearing test that is done at the hospital are not known to have any follow-up. What this means is that there are probably many children whose inability to hear is not discovered until they are toddlers. By this time, it will make it more difficult for the child because he or she will probably be behind in language skills.
Not every child who fails the hospital infant screening will have a problem being able to hear. If you were afraid to have follow-up because of what you might find out, you would be wise to just have the testing done. By waiting things will only be worse if there is a problem.
It is also important to get follow-up because there may be an underlying problem concerning why your child does not have optimal auditory function. It could be that there is a genetic condition possibly involving other parts of the body. Conditions like this could include heart, kidney, and eye issues. These issues may not be found without testing until a child is older or after it is too late.
Perhaps you simply forgot about the hearing test they mentioned at the hospital. Do not worry, now that you have realized it, you can look for the help you need. Your primary care physician pediatrician should be able to refer you to the right testing location.
If your baby fails his or her newborn screening, you may be tempted to despair and assume that your child is deaf. Do not change the way you treat your baby. Even if on the second hearing test your baby fails, you will still want to be communicating with your baby in any way that you can, because you never know what he or she may be picking up.
As a parent, you are your child's biggest fan and advocate. No matter what happens, it is important that you stand for them and pursue what they need in order to be all that they can be. If that means getting a hearing test a dozen different times or using different testing methods, so be it.
by: Aloysius Aucoin
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