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Is My Baby's Hearing Normal?

By Lynn Shear, edHelperBaby

Is My Baby's Hearing Normal?
           It is easy to make sure that your baby has all ten fingers and toes.  It is more difficult to figure out whether or not she can hear well.  Thankfully, the vast majority of babies have excellent hearing, but it is important to make sure that yours does, too.

       Research has found that when hearing loss is discovered and treatment begun before six months of age, the child is very likely to progress to normal language development.  This is not the case when hearing problems are detected after six months, so it is important to make sure that your baby's hearing is normal quickly after birth.  To that end, newborns are now tested while still at the hospital using a computerized test that determines whether or not the middle ear responds to sound.  If your baby was not born in a hospital, you should have a newborn hearing screening administered within her first three weeks of life.  If a problem is detected on the first test, the baby is tested again at a hearing center, which can make use of more sophisticated technology to administer specialized hearing tests.  There is a chance that the first test was a false-positive for hearing problems, and the second test will provide detailed and accurate information for the doctor and parents to use in making decisions regarding the child's hearing.  If needed, the doctor may advise interventions and treatments regarding hearing loss and impairments.

       Most children pass the newborn screening.  However, you may still have concerns about the hearing ability of your baby since she doesn't talk yet and you can't tell for certain whether or not she hears everything you say.  There are a few at-home tests you can do to alleviate your fears.  If your baby is younger than three months, clap your hands behind her head.  If she startles, she heard you.  When she gets a bit older, between four and six months, call her name.  If she turns toward you, you know that she is responding to the sound.  Sometime between six and ten months she will begin recognizing familiar sounds (and become scared of loud ones - it was at this age that my daughter started screaming whenever I vacuumed).  If you have concerns after any of these tests, talk to your pediatrician.  It may be that some minor problem has cropped up (I have heard of children with earwax buildup that kept them from hearing well).  More than likely, it will be easily solved and your child's hearing will be fine.

       There are certain medical problems that make it more likely that your child will have a hearing loss.  Your pediatrician can help make sure that any problems that do arise are taken care of in a timely manner and reduce the chance that hearing impairments of any kind will have a long-term effect on your child.

   


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