How Can I Test My Infant's Hearing?

Detecting and correcting hearing loss in an infant as early as possible are the best ways to avoid developmental difficulties in speech and language. Infants are routinely screened as soon as they are born. If abnormalities show up in the first hearing test, a second screening is necessary for confirmation so the infant can receive any possible remedies as soon as possible. Studies have shown that children who get treatment early in life can develop language skills, whether spoken or signed, on a par with children who have no hearing impairment.

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening

• Different states have different procedures for testing infants' hearing. Jointly they are called universal newborn hearing screening. Procedures for testing infants' hearing include the measuring of otoacoustic emissions and auditory brain stem response. The OAE procedure uses a small probe painlessly inserted into the ear canal, and can detect blockage in the outer ear canal, middle ear fluid and damage to the cochlea. The ABR procedure uses electrodes placed on the head of the infant to record brain wave activity in response to sounds.

  Hearing loss delays the development of receptive and expressive communications skills and causes learning problems. The resulting communication problems can lead to social isolation and lack of self-worth.

Developmental Milestones

• After the infant passes the first hearing test and the second if needed, parents should be aware that hearing, responses to sounds and verbalization are all constantly developing. Within the first five months, an infant should:
  1. React to loud sounds.
  2. Turn his eyes or head toward the source of a sound.
  3. Watch your face when you speak.
  4. Make happy and upset sounds like laughing, crying, giggling and fussing.
  5. Make noises when spoken to.

  If any of these milestones is not met in the first five months, the child should be retested in a clinical setting. Babies continue to develop their hearing and speech for many years, and milestones for later ages should also be considered.

Earliest Detection Possible

• First testing should be done in the hospital before the child is released. Children born outside the hospital should have their hearing tested within two weeks of birth. Second testing, to confirm or reject the finding of the first test, should take place at no later than 3 months of age. It is critical for normal language development to catch hearing loss and treat it as early as possible in a child's life. The remedy could be a medical solution like a hearing aid or involve a professional who specializes in teaching children with hearing impairments. Children with certain risk factors for hearing loss should be monitored every six months until at least the age of 3.