New-born Hearing Screening & Why it is Important

So for normal development of brain, a normal hearing is must.

To make sure that child is hearing normally, a new born hearing screening should be conducted with every child. New born hearing screening is a very simple process that is conducted using instruments like OAEs or AABR or both.

Though new born hearing screening should be performed on every child but it becomes much more important for children falling under high risk categories.

Following are the high risk factors for hearing loss:

1. Family history of hearing loss: if anybody from parent’s family has history of hearing loss.

2. Maternal infection during pregnancy: if there was any type of infection occurred during pregnancy, your child may be at risk of hearing loss.

3. Premature birth

4. Low birth weight

5. Any infection during birth

6. Head injury

7. intake of any medicine during pregnancy

8. Intake of tobacco or alcohol during pregnancy

Ask your maternity centre or paediatrician for new born hearing screening.