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Have Your Infant's Hearing Tested in a Hospital

By: Williams Stoney


Read More About Infants and Toddlers

Statistics indicate that every year, in the U.S. alone about 12,000 babies have permanent hearing loss. Of every 1,000 babies born, three have one or the other type of hearing loss

Some people are not able to hear some of the softer sounds while others are not able to hear anything whatsoever. Children who suffer from hearing loss are given treatment and are, in some cases, required to wear hearing aids.

Cochlear implants are advised in extreme cases. If a part of the ear is damaged, hearing aids which only amplify sounds are not effective; but cochlear implants are effective because they pass the sound directly to the auditory nerves. No one should expect hearing to be completely restored with the help of these devices.

The best way out is to screen babies as early as possible. Babies are known to develop their language skills better if these therapies are started within the first six months.

Screening of newly born babies for hearing loss is now possible immediately after birth. If medical experts are able to detect hearing loss in babies within the first six months, the new procedures can ensure a near normal language development.

The hearing problem in most children goes undetected till they are about 22 to 26 months old. Hearing problems get accidentally discovered when children start having problems with speaking or with their language development.

Before newborn babies are allowed to leave hospital, they are subjected to a new procedure that is able to identify hearing problems

Otacoustic Emissions can now be used to detect hearing problems in newborn babies. A soft probe is used for delivering sounds into the ear canal. The inner ear produces an echo like sound which a microphone, placed in the same probe, registers. Compared to any other procedure that would take over 10 minutes, this method requires just 10 seconds for each ear.

The Auditory Brainstem Response test is the next step for those babies who do not pass the OAE. On the baby?s head and shoulders are placed three electrodes to measure the auditory nerve?s responses to controlled sounds delivered through a disposable earphone as per the norms of the ABR test.

Screening of each ear is a simple 15 minute task.

Doctors ensure that these tests are conducted when babies are asleep. Hearing problems get accidentally discovered when children, around their age of 2 years, start having problems with speaking or with their language development.

That is why, screening all babies is most advisable. If this is done, children with hearing problems will still be able to develop their language skills like any other individual and also lead a near normal life on other counts as well.

In the less likely event of a baby failing both these tests, an audiologist needs to conduct diagnostic testing. About 2 percent of the babies end up at the audiologist?s for diagnostic testing.

Even if infants are just 2 to 3 months old, it is now possible to fit them with amplifications. If these children get help very early on in their lives, they have a good chance of leading a normal life.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

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