Child Can You Hear Me?

            When a newborn baby is first introduced to their parents, mommy starts counting fingers and toes.  Most parents just want to see that their precious baby is normal.  Less visual problems such as hearing are usually not initial concerns because they are not seen. 

            Yet, 1 to 3 babies in every 1000 births have a permanent hearing loss.  And then again, approximately the same number of children will lose hearing due to illness, injury or genetic factors before the age of four.  Because of these statistics, having hearing screenings in infancy and early childhood is important.  The earlier hearing loss is detected, the greater chance there is of helping that child lead a normal life either by correcting the condition or learning to function with the disability.

            One of the more common hearing tests performed on infants and small children is called the Otoacoustic Emissions or OAE test.  This test is designed to guide auditory health providers in identifying children with cochlear (inner ear) function impairment.  It also may identify temporary hearing loss which is due generally to ear infections, fluid in the ear, or a build-up of wax (cerumen).

            The OAE test is non-invasive and painless although small children may be apprehensive about it.  Best results occur when the child is quiet and still.  A snack, binky, a favorite blanket, and/or mommy’s lap are generally very helpful.  If necessary, the test may be performed when the child is sleeping.  It is obtained by placing a probe into the ear.  A condensed explanation of how the OAE works follows:  The probe delivers a series of soft sounds that travel through the ear canal and the small bones in the middle ear until finally vibrating the outer hair cells in the inner ear (cochlea).  The cochlea responds by sending a message to the brain as well as returning an ‘acoustic emission,’ or a very small sound wave, back through the ear.  These small sounds are then picked up by the probe and are translated on a small screen on the OAE equipment.  A response of ‘pass’ or ‘refer’ will show in the screen.

            As mentioned above, a child may not pass an OAE screen due to otitis media (ear infection), fluid, or wax build-up.  If your child does not pass an OAE consider those possibilities.  You may wish to consult your pediatrician for options to treat those problems.  Once resolved and your child continues to fail an OAE, consider further hearing tests to find out if hearing loss is present. 

            Most doctors do not perform routine hearing tests on infants and young children.  A newborn hearing screen is usually conducted in the hospital at the time of birth, but until school starts, hearing tests are not generally repeated.  It is preferable that a hearing test is performed within the first three months of life, so if your child was born at a birthing center or at home, consider having a hearing test done.  If you are concerned that your child has a hearing loss or if you would simply like a hearing test performed, you may contact an early intervention location near you.  They should have a trained professional available that could perform an OAE for you.  You may also consider asking your pediatrician for a referral to an audiologist. 

            For help in finding an early intervention center near you visit my Find a Location page which will provide directions and/or contact information.  http://littlefingerslittletoes.blogspot.com/search/label/Find%20a%20Location

            Thanks for reading and let me know if this helps.