Why is Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Important?

It is important to identify hearing loss as early as possible because babies start leaning language as soon as they are born. Listening in the first months of life prepares babies to speak. Listening to and watching others communicate helps babies learn language.

Any degree of hearing loss, even a mild one can dramatically effect a child's language development. Early identification of hearing loss is key to providing appropriate intervention services to promote language and communication development.

If you have concerns about your baby's hearing, discuss this with your baby's doctor, or contact our team on Majuro (692) 625-3355/3399 ext. 2258 and on Ebeye (692) 392-9030 ext. 234.

If a baby does not pass the newborn hearing screening at the hospital, it is very important to return for a follow-up hearing screening. Not passing the hearing screening does not mean your baby has a hearing loss, but follow-up screening is a step closer to identifying if a baby has a hearing loss. Some babies are born with certain high risk factors for developing a hearing loss. Your baby may pass the hearing screening before discharge from the hospital or birthing site, but if your baby was born with high risk factors, it is important for your baby to get a diagnostic audiological evaluation (DAE) by 6 months of age or sooner, if recommended by your doctor.

Importance of Newborn Hearing Screening

Newborn Hearing Screening Steps

Step 1

Newborn hearing screening is conducted using a special equipment called Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). A sensitive microphone is placed in baby’s ear canal while baby is sleeping or very quiet. The equipment records the ear’s response to sounds. This procedure is quick,easy, and does not hurt the baby. No further testing is needed if the baby passes the OAE hearing screen.

Step 2

If baby does not pass the OAE Screening, An Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) Screening Equipment is used. Sensors are placed on the baby’s forehead, back of the neck, and shoulder. Earcups are used to deliver sounds to the baby’s ears. The AABR device records the brain’s response to sound. No further testing is needed if the baby passes the AABR hearing screen.

Step 3

If a baby does not pass the AABR, the baby will be given an appointment to come back for a repeat screening test at the outpatient clinic two

Follow-up Screenings: Importance of Follow-Up Hearing Screening

Newborn hearing screening is a procedure conducted before an infant is discharged from the hospital or birthing center. This is a standard of care for all babies born on Majuro and Ebeye. Newborn hearing screening identifies if a baby might have a hearing loss. Some babies are born with certain high risk factors for developing a hearing loss. Your baby may pass the hearing screening before discharge from the hospital or birthing site, but if your baby was born with high risk factors, it is important to bring him back for a follow-up testing by 6 months of age.

If a baby does not pass the newborn hearing screening at the hospital, it is very important to return for a follow-up hearing screening. Not passing the hearing screening does not mean your baby has a hearing loss, but follow-up screening is a step closer to identifying if a baby has a hearing loss. Some babies are born with certain high risk factors for developing a hearing loss. Your baby may pass the hearing screening before discharge from the hospital or birthing site, but if your baby was born with high risk factors, it is important for your baby to get a diagnostic audiological evaluation (DAE) by 6 months of age or sooner, if recommended by your doctor.

Types of hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss

Occurs when sound is not conducted efficiently through the outer ear canal to the eardrum and the tiny bones, or ossicles, of the middle ear. It usually involves a reduction in sound level, or the ability to hear faint sounds. This type of hearing loss can often be medically or surgically corrected.

Sensorineual Hearing Loss

Occurs when there is damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or to the nerve pathways from the inner ear (retrocochlear) to the brain. It cannot be medically or surgically corrected and is a permanent loss. This type of loss not only involves a reduction in sound level, or the ability to hear faint sounds, but it also affects the ability to hear clearly and understand speech.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Sometimes a conductive hearing loss occurs in combination with a sensorineural hearing loss. This means that there may be damage in the outer or middle ear and in the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve.