Newborn Hearing Screening: What Parents Need to Know

It’s really important for all babies to have their hearing checked right after birth and then regularly as they grow up. Hearing problems aren’t always obvious, and little kids can’t always tell us when they can’t hear well. According to research, about 1 in 1000 babies are born with serious hearing loss, making it the most common serious problem babies can face at birth.

A child with a lot of hearing loss might only hear very loud noises, and if this isn’t caught early, it can really affect how they learn to talk and understand language. Even a small amount of hearing loss can make it hard for a child to follow directions or fully hear what’s being said around them.

Luckily, parents, caregivers, teachers, and doctors can all work together to help children who might have hearing problems. The first step is simple: keep an eye on how your child responds to sounds and how they start talking. If you’re worried, it’s important to have them checked by a specialist in children’s hearing, called a pediatric audiologist.

How Do We Check a Baby’s Hearing?

When it comes to making sure your baby can hear properly, there are two main tests that doctors use. These tests are safe and comfortable for your baby, and they give us crucial information about your little one’s hearing.

1. Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Test
   • A very small earphone and microphone are placed in your baby’s ear.
   • The earphone plays some sounds into the ear.
   • Meanwhile, the microphone listens for tiny echoes produced by the inner ear in response to these sounds.
   • If these echoes are present, it usually means your baby’s hearing is normal.
   • The test is quick, taking only a few minutes, and your baby can sleep right through it!
   • This test is great because it checks if the inner part of your baby’s ear (called the cochlea) is working properly. It’s commonly done right after birth to catch any problems early.

2. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test
   • It involves placing three small stickers called electrodes on your baby’s head and ears.
   • These electrodes pick up the brain’s responses to sounds played through tiny earphones.
   • The test checks the entire hearing pathway from the ear up through the brainstem, which is the part of the brain that controls hearing.
   • This test is also quite quick and is done while your baby sleeps.
   • The ABR is especially helpful for checking if there are any issues in the way the brain processes the sounds it hears. It’s used not only to confirm the OAE test results but also to provide more detailed information if the OAE results are unclear.

Both tests are essential parts of a newborn hearing screening programme. They help ensure that any hearing problems are identified as early as possible. Early detection is crucial because it means treatment can start right away, helping your baby develop speech and language skills just like their peers.

What Do the Results Mean?

• If my baby passes the test: This means that at the time of the test, your baby’s hearing looks good. But keep an eye out, as hearing loss can develop over time due to things like ear infections, genetic reasons, or other health issues. Always watch how your baby reacts to sounds and talk to your doctor if you ever feel something’s not right.

• If my baby doesn’t pass the test: It doesn’t mean your baby definitely has a hearing problem, but it does mean you need to look into it more. If your baby doesn’t pass a second test, they’ll need to see a specialist, like an ENT (ear, nose, throat doctor), for more tests. It’s really important to go to these appointments to catch any problems early.

Why Early Help Matters

Detecting and addressing hearing issues in infants as soon as possible is vital. The first few months of a baby’s life are a critical period for developing speech and language skills. That’s why it’s recommended that all newborns undergo a hearing screening within their first month of life. Here’s a closer look at why this early intervention is so essential:

1. Critical Developmental Milestones: The first three years of life are when children develop the foundation for speaking and understanding language. Babies begin to learn these skills from the moment they are born by listening to the people around them. If a baby has hearing loss that isn’t addressed early, they might miss out on this crucial language exposure, which can affect their ability to communicate effectively later in life.
2. Early Diagnosis and Treatment: If a baby’s initial hearing screen shows potential issues, a full diagnostic hearing test should be completed by the time they are three months old. This allows healthcare providers to understand the extent and type of hearing loss and to begin planning effective treatments or interventions.
3. Interventions and Support: Interventions might include:
   • Fitting for Hearing Devices: Devices such as hearing aids can significantly improve a baby’s ability to hear sounds, thereby supporting their language development.
   • Early Intervention Programs: These programs provide specialised support not just to the child but also to the family. They can include speech therapy, which teaches babies and young children how to make sounds and understand words, and other forms of communication support.
   • Family Support Groups: These groups connect parents and families with peers in similar situations. They can be a valuable resource for sharing experiences, advice, and emotional support.
4. Better Outcomes: Studies have shown that babies with hearing loss who begin interventions before they are six months old have better outcomes in terms of speech, social skills, and academic achievements. They are more likely to develop communication skills on par with their hearing peers and generally do not experience as significant a delay in language development.
5. Social and Emotional Development: Early intervention also supports social and emotional development, which is fundamental for overall well-being. Children with improved communication skills can interact more effectively with other children and adults, which helps with social learning and emotional connections.

Ensuring that hearing issues are addressed before a baby turns six months old can profoundly affect their ability to communicate, learn, and interact with the world around them. This proactive approach lays a strong foundation for their future educational and social success, fully integrating them into the hearing world.

Continued Care and Support with Confinement Nannies Singapore

After the initial newborn hearing screenings, the journey of monitoring and fostering a child’s development continues. To further ease the challenges of newborn care and confinement, consider the support from PEM, a mom confinement nanny Singapore. Our skilled nannies can provide day and night baby care, nutritious meals, breastfeeding guidance, newborn care advice, and manage basic daily household tasks. Plus, all of our SG confinement nannies are also extensively trained and continuously assessed to ensure they meet the highest standards of care. They are available around the clock to handle any day or night emergencies, providing peace of mind that help is always at hand when you need it most. Find a nanny service in Singapore today and ensure that you have the expert help you need, whenever you need it.