|
Has Your Baby's Hearing Been Screened?On this page:
Most children hear and listen from birth. They learn to talk by imitating the sounds around them and the voices of their parents and caregivers. But that's not true for all children. In fact, about 2 or 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born deaf or hard-of-hearing. More lose their hearing later during childhood. Many of these children may need to learn speech and language differently, so it's important to detect deafness or hearing loss as early as possible. How early should I have my baby's hearing screened?Your baby should have a hearing screening within the first month of life. If hearing loss is suspected, make sure a hearing expert, called an audiologist (aw-dee-AH-luh-jist) tests your baby's hearing by 3 months of age. If hearing loss is confirmed, it's important to consider the use of hearing devices and other communication options by 6 months of age. Where can my baby's hearing be screened?Many hospitals automatically screen all newborns for hearing loss. Some screen only those newborns at high risk for hearing loss, such as babies with a family history of deafness or hearing problems, low birth weight, or certain other medical conditions. Even if your baby doesn't have risk factors, being screened is important, because many children with no risk factors have hearing loss. Even children whose parents and grandparents hear normally may be born with a hearing loss. Find out what your hospital does. If you and your baby are already home and you don't know if your baby's hearing was tested, ask the doctor or the clinic where your baby's records are. Recently, many States have passed Early Hearing Detection and Intervention legislation. A few other States regularly screen the hearing of most newborns, but have no legislation that requires screening. To find out what your State does, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) web site at www.asha.org. How will my baby's hearing be screened?Two hearing tests are used to screen babies. In both tests, no activity is required from your child other than lying still.
If your child doesn't respond consistently to the sounds presented during either of these tests, your doctor may suggest a follow up hearing screening and a referral to an audiologist for a more comprehensive hearing evaluation. Why is it important to have my baby's hearing screened early?The most important time for a child to be exposed to and learn language is in the first 3 years of life. In fact, children begin learning speech and language in the first 6 months of life. Research suggests that those who have hearing impairment and get intervention have better language skills than those who don't. The earlier you know about deafness or hearing loss, the sooner you can make sure your child benefits from strategies that will help him or her learn to communicate. How can I recognize hearing loss during early childhood?Even though screening is designed to detect hearing loss as early as possible, some children don't develop hearing loss until later in life. In those instances, parents, caregivers, or grandparents are often the first to notice. Even if you've had your baby's hearing tested, you should look for signs that your baby is hearing well.For example, during the first year, notice whether your baby reacts to loud noises, imitates sounds, and begins to respond to his or her name. At age 2, ask yourself whether or not your child plays with his or her voice, imitates simple words, and enjoys games like peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake. Is he or she using two-word sentences to talk about and ask for things? At age 3, notice whether or not he or she begins to understand "not now" and "no more" and follows simple directions. If for any reason you think your child is not hearing well, talk to your doctor. If my child has a hearing loss, can hearing be improved?A variety of assistive devices and strategies are helpful for children who are hard-of-hearing. Some examples of these devices are listed here. An audiologist can help you to determine whether these or other devices can help your child.
How can I help my child communicate?There are a variety of ways to help children with hearing loss express themselves and interact with others. The main options are listed below. The option you choose will depend on how you want your child to learn and communicate. Find out about all of the choices and talk to lots of experts.
Will my child have a tough time in school?Just like other children, children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can develop strong academic, social, and emotional skills and succeed in school. You can do a lot to make sure this happens. Find out how your school system helps children with hearing loss. With your input, your child's school will develop an Individualized Education Program for your child. Explore programs outside of school that may help you and your child, and talk with other parents who have already dealt with these issues. Remember, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that children with hearing loss receive free, appropriate, early intervention programs from birth throughout the school years. Please see the listing under U.S. Department of Education, along with other resources below. Where can I learn more?Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (A.G. Bell) Can provide you with information on hearing loss and ongoing support and advocacy. The association emphasizes the use of technology, speech, speech-reading, residual hearing, and written and spoken language.
3417 Volta Place, N.W. American Academy of Audiology (AAA) Is a professional organization of individuals dedicated to providing quality hearing care to the public. AAA emphasizes professional development, education, research, and increased public awareness of hearing disorders and audiologic services. 11730 Plaza America Drive American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Sponsors an on-line patient information center and can provide you with leaflets and geographic lists of physicians. One Prince Street American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 141 Northwest Point Boulevard American Society for Deaf Children (ASDC) Is committed to educating, empowering, and supporting parents and families of children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The society helps families find meaningful communication options, particularly through the competent use of sign language, in the home, school, and community. P.O. Box 3355 American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Offers a series of brochures, fact sheets, and information packets available to the general public at no cost. A computerized referral database of audiology and speech-language pathology programs is available to meet individual consumer needs. 10801 Rockville Pike Beginnings for Parents of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, Inc. Provides support and impartial information on communication options, placement, and educational programs; workshops for professional personnel who work with children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing; and advocacy and support for young people. P.O. Box 17646 Boys Town National Research Hospital 555 North 30th Street Clearinghouse on Disability Information 330 C Street, N.W., Room 3132 Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD) P.O. Box 1778 Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf (CAID) P.O. Box 377 Council on Education of the Deaf (CED) Gallaudet University, 207 FH Deafness Research Foundation-The National Campaign for Hearing Health 1050 17th Street, N.W., Suite 701 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program Voice: (770) 448-7510 ERIC Clearinghouse on Disabilities and Gifted Education 1110 North Glebe Road Harvard Medical School Center for Hereditary Deafness 65 Landsdowne Street Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University Serves deaf and hard-of-hearing students pre-K to 12 and shares best practices in deaf education. KDES PAS-6, 800 Florida Avenue, N.E. National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Focuses on grassroots advocacy and empowerment, captioned media, deafness-related information and publications, legal assistance, policy development and research, public awareness, certification of interpreters, and youth leadership development. 814 Thayer Avenue, Suite 250 National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) P.O. Box 959 Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) 400 Maryland Avenue, SW The Deafness & Family Communication Center The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia 3535 Market St., 9th floor NIH Publication No. 01-4968 For more information, contact the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse. |
|