Hearing Screening Myths

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If you are currently expecting your first child, you might have heard from fellow parents or your doctor that your newborn is going to have to have a hearing screening while they are in the hospital. Here are the three most common myths new parents believe about newborn hearing screenings, and the truth behind these myths.

Myth #1: Not All Babies Undergo Newborn Hearing Screenings

Many first-time parents wrongly assume that a newborn screening is some special test that only their baby has to take. Or, they believe that the only reason the doctor suggested a newborn hearing screening is because the doctor thinks something is wrong with their baby

Neither of these are the case. Newborn screening hearings have become a common procedure that all babies born in hospitals have to
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The first test is the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response or AABR. For this test, soft sensors are placed on your baby’s head. These sensors are used to measure your child’s reaction to the soft clicking sounds that they are exposed to during the test.

The second test is the Otoacoustic Emission Test or OAE. This test involves placing a small microphone inside of your infant’s ear. The microphone serves two purposes. First, it sends out a very faint clicking sound. Then, it measures how your baby’s ear reacts to the sound.

Myth #3: If Your Baby Fails The Screening, It Means They For Sure Will Have Hearing Problems

It can be common to get an inconclusive result from one of the tests above. If your baby is fussy, upset, or moves around, it could compromise the integrity of the test results.

If your baby fails or has inconclusive results during their newborn screening, the hospital may use the other newborn screening option on your baby to get accurate results since some many factors can compromise the integrity of the test. Your baby may easily pass the second test when they are more