Medical Evaluation
It is recommended that a medical evaluation is done to identify any possible medical conditions that may be interfering with the hearing screening results. This medical evaluation may consist of different types of testing and a series of questions.The medical evaluation may include a medical history, physical examination, laboratory testing, or consultation with other doctors.
Medical History
Physical Examination
Laboratory Testing
Consultation with Other Doctors
Audiological Evaluation
A hearing specialist, called a Diagnostic Audiologist will be able to determine if a baby has a definite hearing loss. These professionals have the background and the appropriate equipment to detect a permanent hearing loss.
An Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) hearing screener along with other testing methods will be used as part of the evaluation. The ABR plays sounds into the baby's ears. Band-aid like electrodes are placed on the baby's head to measure the brain responding to the sounds. This test can detect damage to the inner ear, nerves and the sound’s pathway to the brain. If the baby passes the ABR test, no further testing is needed. However all babies should be watched for hearing loss as they grow.
