Newborn hearing screening: what it is and when to do it.

The The newborn hearing screening testThis test, like the more famous newborn screening test known as the heel prick test, is of utmost importance for the health of newborns.

The assessment is simple and does not involve punctures or injections. Furthermore, it can be done a few weeks after the baby's birth.

Soon, you will learn about the test and some signs of... hearing impairment in newborns. 

What is the newborn hearing screening test?

The hearing test, also known as otoacoustic emission or neonatal hearing screening, is a An examination to check if the baby's auditory pathways are normal. 

Every human being acquires the ability to hear from the 5th month onwards, while still in the mother's womb. 

Therefore, after delivery, to ensure that the newborn's hearing ability is as expected, the speech therapist perform this test. 

In the case of a mother who has chosen a natural home birth, she must take the child to a healthcare facility. within three months.

But what exactly is this hearing test like?

The examination is quite simple and lasts up to 10 minutes. The professional places a headset connected to a computer on the baby's ears. 

Then, the device emits low-intensity sounds, the connected software collects the reactions of the inner ear and thus creates a graph for the healthcare professional to interpret.

If any abnormality is found, the child repeats the test, undergoes other examinations, and is referred for treatment. 

Furthermore, after the evaluation, parents receive a guide on the development of the babies' auditory system. It describes all the advancements the children should make, even for the development of oral language.

That's because the fact that the newborn hearing screening test indicates normality doesn't guarantee that the baby will continue to have normal hearing function in the coming months. Genetic diseases can still appear, as well as traumas, among other complications. Hence the importance of continuous monitoring.

When is it recommended to have the test?

The newborn hearing screening test is mandatory, as determined by Law No. 12.303/2010. One of the reasons for the existence of a law mandating the test is probably due to the incidence of deafness in newborns. It is estimated that... one in every thousand patients They have some kind of hearing problem.

Factors that lead to hearing disorders in newborns include:

• congenital malformations;
• Genetic or infectious diseases in the baby's mother, such as toxoplasmosis;
• exposure of the mother to radiation;
• complications during childbirth;
• Hospital-acquired infections in babies.

What can the newborn hearing screening test detect?

The assessment is capable of diagnosing most hearing losses, from the most severe to the mildest. Generally, these deficiencies can be of two types:

Conductive hearing loss

This occurs when a baby has difficulty hearing due to a physical barrier, such as a buildup of fluid in the middle ear or an abnormality in the ossicles. 

Since this loss is mechanical, it is almost always reversible.

Sensorineural hearing loss

Typically, there is a genetic component involved. The alteration is located in the inner ear or in the nerves that transmit sounds to be processed in the brain. It can also occur due to meningitis, head trauma, improper use of medications, etc.

Since hearing loss can unfortunately occur after the newborn hearing screening, it is recommended to pay attention to possible signs of this problem, such as:

• The child does not turn her head when spoken to;
• After two months of age, she no longer babbles or tries to make sounds with her mouth;
• She doesn't smile when her parents start talking;
• It is not startled by sudden, loud noises;
• The baby doesn't follow the sounds of toys, like a rattle.

How does treatment for childhood hearing loss work?

First, the options vary depending on the severity of the disability, whether it is mild, moderate, or severe. Treatment typically ranges from hearing aids and cochlear implants to bone conduction implants. 

Treatment and rehabilitation, it should be remembered, play a vital role in a child's life. Without proper intervention, they may have difficulties not only hearing, but also speaking, learning, and even developing their behavior.

Therefore, you've seen that the newborn hearing screening is a quick procedure, but with great relevance to the development of babies. Even after it's performed, it's important to monitor the child's development to prevent future problems. hearing loss adquirida por algum outro fator.
Did you enjoy learning about the importance of this test? If you haven't yet taken your baby to have the exam done, get in touch!