At what age can my child's hearing be tested?

Children can be tested at any age. Newborns are screened for hearing loss prior to discharge from the hospital of birth (Utah Newborn Screening Act 1998).

Why do newborns need a hearing screening?

Good hearing is necessary for the normal development of language and listening skills. Children with hearing loss who are identified early and who receive intervention by age 6 months are more successful at developing good language and learning skills.

How do you test a newborn or young infant's hearing?

There are two tests that measure hearing loss in young infants:

- Ototacoustic emission (OAE) test measures a soft sound that is produced by the inner ear and measured in the baby's ear canal using a small probe after presentation of a sound.
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test measures the response of the neural pathways of the hearing system. Small electrodes placed on the baby's head record neural information after presentation of a sound.

Older children, usually 6 months or older, can be tested behaviorally in a sound room. Sounds are presented through speakers or earphones and the audiologist watches for the child's response at different levels of loudness.

Is mild hearing loss or a hearing loss in one ear important to my child's development?

Yes, even mild hearing losses or a loss in one ear can affect your child's ability to learn and be successful in school. More than a third of children with mild or unilateral hearing loss fail at least one grade of school.

If my baby has normal hearing as an infant do I need to get his/her hearing checked again?

If you every have any concerns about your child's hearing have you child's hearing checked. Although uncommon, some children have normal hearing at birth and develop hearing loss at a later age with some genetic hearing losses. Diseases such as bacterial meningitis, certain medications, and loud sound can also cause hearing and at any age.