Elena Tapia
Hearing tests for newborns are crucial to ensure that hearing loss is caught and treated early. They are safe, painless, and quick, taking just a few minutes, and the baby may even sleep through the test. There are two types of tests: the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test and the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test. The OAE test involves placing a small earbud in the newborn's ear, which contains a microphone and earphone, and playing sounds through the earbud to measure the echo response. The ABR test involves placing small electrodes on the baby's head and playing sounds through earphones to measure how the hearing nerve responds. If the newborn doesn't pass the initial hearing screening, a follow-up screening should be scheduled within a few weeks.
What You'll Learn
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test
The OAE test checks part of the inner ear's response to sound. In a healthy ear, outer hair cells on the cochlea will "echo" acoustic stimuli. During the test, soft foam or rubber-tipped probes are placed in the baby's ear canal and gentle clicking sounds are played. The probes measure the echo response to the sounds in each ear. The test is quick, painless, and non-invasive, and it only takes a few minutes to complete. The baby won't feel anything during the test and won't even know that their ears are being checked.
The results of the OAE test are either present or absent. Present OAEs are consistent with normal to near-normal hearing. Absent OAEs may be a sign of a problem, such as hearing loss, wax in the ears, fluid or infection in the middle ear, or a malformed inner ear. If the results indicate an issue, further testing will be needed to rule out any possible hearing loss.
It is important to test a newborn's hearing as early as possible. 1 to 2 babies in every 1,000 are born with permanent hearing loss in one or both ears, and this increases to about 1 in every 100 babies who have spent more than 48 hours in intensive care. Early detection can give these babies a better chance of developing language, speech, and communication skills without delays.
High-Pitched Cries in Newborns: What's Normal?
You may want to see also
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test
The Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test is a hearing test that can be used to detect hearing loss in newborns. It checks the child's brain response to sound and is often done on infants who are too young to respond to behavioural hearing tests. The ABR test is safe and painless, and the child will not feel anything during the test.
- Small electrodes (sensors that measure brain activity) are placed on the child's forehead and earlobes or mastoid bone.
- An electrode gel is applied to the skin to ensure good contact between the skin and the electrodes.
- Earphones are placed over the child's ears.
- Once the child is sleeping, sounds are played through the earphones, and the brain's response to these sounds is recorded through the electrodes and on a computer.
The ABR test can only be done when the child is sleeping. For newborns to 5-month-old infants, the test can be done while the child is sleeping naturally, without medication. For children older than 6 months, the test is typically done with sedation, i.e., with medication to help the child sleep through the test.
The ABR test usually takes 1-2 hours, but the appointment may last about 3 hours. If a sleeping baby wakes up during the test, the test will take longer, as the baby will need to fall back asleep to finish the test.
After the test, the electrodes and earphones are removed. An audiologist will then read the test results and discuss them with the parents, as well as any necessary next steps or treatments.
Eye Boogers in Newborns: What's Normal?
You may want to see also
Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test
The Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test is one of two hearing tests widely used to check the hearing of newborns. The other is the otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test.
The AABR test is typically used as a follow-up test if a newborn does not pass the initial OAE test. This may be due to factors such as background noise, a restless baby, or fluid in the baby's ears.
The AABR test helps determine a child's ability to hear by measuring the reaction of the parts of their nervous system that affect hearing. It involves placing three small sensors on the baby's head and neck, and soft headphones over the ears. Gentle clicking sounds are then played, and the test takes between 5 and 15 minutes.
The AABR test is safe, painless, and non-invasive. It does not harm or cause any discomfort to the baby, and the baby can sleep through the entire process. The test simply involves measuring the brain's response to sounds and can help identify hearing loss in newborns.
If your baby requires the AABR test, it is important to prepare them by ensuring they are tired and hungry before the appointment. This will help them stay asleep during the test. The entire appointment, including preparation and testing, can take up to 2 hours without sedation and up to 4 hours if sedation is required.
Yellow Vomit in Newborns: What's Normal?
You may want to see also
Brain Audiometry Evaluation
Hearing tests are crucial for newborns as they help identify babies with permanent hearing loss as early as possible. This enables parents to get the required support and advice right from the start and ensures that their child can develop language, speech, and communication skills without delays.
The two main types of hearing screening methods for newborns are Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (EOAE) and Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR). The EOAE test uses a tiny, flexible plug that is inserted into the baby's ear to send and receive sounds. On the other hand, the ABR test involves attaching electrodes to the baby's scalp and playing clicking sounds through tiny earphones. Both tests are painless and quick, usually taking just a few minutes, and can be done while the baby sleeps.
If a hearing problem is detected or suspected, further evaluation is necessary. This typically involves referring the baby to a hearing specialist, called an audiologist, who will conduct follow-up tests to confirm the presence and extent of hearing loss. This specialist evaluation should ideally take place within the first three months of life, as early intervention is crucial for the child's speech and language development.
One such follow-up test is Brain Audiometry Evaluation, which can provide more detailed information about the baby's hearing ability. This evaluation includes both behavioural and electrophysiologic tests to assess different aspects of the child's auditory function.
Behavioural audiometric techniques involve observing the baby's behavioural responses to auditory stimuli. One example is Behavioural Observation Audiometry (BOA), where the infant's behavioural changes in response to sounds are recorded. Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (VRA) is another technique where the baby is trained to look towards a sound source, and correct responses are rewarded with visual reinforcement, such as a flashing light or a moving toy.
Electrophysiologic tests, on the other hand, are more objective as they do not rely on the baby's participation. One such test is the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test, which measures the integrity of the auditory system up to the midbrain. During this test, clicking or tonal stimuli are presented, and the neural firing in response to these stimuli is recorded. Another electrophysiologic test is Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs), which measure sounds generated by the cochlea itself.
By combining the results of behavioural audiometry, brainstem evoked response audiometry, and OAEs, clinicians can obtain an accurate picture of the child's hearing ability. This comprehensive evaluation helps in making informed decisions about the child's hearing health and any necessary interventions.
Feeding Newborn Calves: How Much Milk is Needed?
You may want to see also
Importance of early testing
Hearing tests for newborns are quick and easy to perform, taking just a few minutes to complete. They are also safe and painless for the baby, who will often sleep through the test.
Hearing tests for newborns are extremely important. From the moment a baby is born, they begin learning language by hearing the language around them. If a baby is not hearing, this will hinder their ability to pick up spoken language and learn to talk.
Research shows that infants with hearing problems that are not known or addressed before they’re 6 months old may have trouble with speech and language as they get older. However, if any hearing problems are found and addressed before 6 months, a child’s speech and language should develop at a normal pace.
Permanent hearing loss can significantly affect a baby's development, but finding out early can give these babies a better chance of developing language, speech and communication skills. It will also help them make the most of relationships with their family or carers from an early age.
Furthermore, hearing loss is invisible and cannot be seen by examining a newborn's ears. Most newborns with hearing loss have no signs or symptoms. In fact, approximately 3-6 of every 1,000 newborns have significant hearing problems, and more than 95% of newborns who are born deaf have parents with normal hearing.
Breathing Basics: Newborns and Nose Breathing
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Hearing tests for newborns are quick and usually take just a few minutes. Most babies sleep through the hearing screening.
The newborn hearing screening test helps identify babies who have permanent hearing loss as early as possible. This means parents can get the support and advice they need right from the start.
If your baby does not pass the newborn hearing screening, a follow-up screening or hearing test will be needed in the days or weeks after leaving the birthing hospital. This is a crucial step in determining whether your baby has hearing loss.
