Newborn Screening Leads to Early Intervention in Hearing Loss

SIOUX FALLS (May 1, 2009) - Nothing can replace the human sense of hearing, yet today's technological advancements address hearing loss better than ever before. So parents should stay tuned into the possibility of hearing loss and be ready to intervene.

Most children are screened for hearing soon after birth. Even though a baby can't answer in response to sound, audiologists can accurately measure their hearing using specialized equipment, said Teresa Fendrich, audiologist at Avera McKennan.

Approximately one in three babies per 1,000 are born with some type of hearing loss, caused by factors such as genetics, infection during pregnancy, prematurity, or maternal diabetes. If necessary, babies can be fitted with hearing aids as early as 8 weeks of age.

"The brain is wired to hear," Fendrich said. Without hearing, children are at a significant disadvantage in language development.

Jenny Miller of Tea is the mother of three boys, age 11 months, 2 years and 6, all of whom have some degree of hearing loss ranging from mild to moderately severe. "It seems to be genetic, although we never thought about it until our oldest son was screened in the hospital as a newborn," Jenny said.

All three sons were fitted with hearing aids between the ages of 2 and 4 months. While the youngest two are still learning to talk at age 11 months and 2 years, the oldest son, 6, is now in kindergarten. "He's doing awesome, and has really good speech for someone with a hearing loss. We credit that with the fact that he was identified as a newborn, and got early intervention with speech therapy."

While hearing loss isn't something Jenny and her husband, Paul, expected, it's something they take in stride as parents. "Speech therapy has helped us know what to look for, and we probably are more aware of helping them develop their language skills," Jenny said.

Even if children pass their first hearing test, it doesn't mean their hearing will be perfect throughout childhood. Hearing loss can be acquired through disease, a condition or an injury. For example, chronic ear infections can cause hearing loss, although this is most often temporary.

Parents should continually watch for signs that their baby is hearing well. Newborns will startle, shift their eyes or change their sucking patterns in response to sound. Later, they will seem soothed by their parents' voice, turn their head toward their parents' voice and smile when spoken to. As they develop speech, babies will babble as they practice sounds, and say their first word by 9 to 12 months of age.

It's pretty typical for older children to be so absorbed in play or a TV show that they tune out other sounds - especially a parent's call. Yet if your child is saying "what?" a lot or asking you to repeat things, this could be reason for concern.

Noise exposure is the top preventable cause of hearing loss. Sounds louder than 80 decibels are considered potentially hazardous. Yet a rock concert can peak at 150 decibels and firearms sound off at 140 dB. Even some toys can top 90 decibels.

There's no "getting used" to loud noise. Tiny hair cells in the inner ear bend in response to sound. Too much noise can bend these cells too far, damaging or killing the cells. Once damaged, they cannot grow back, causing permanent hearing loss.

"Your child's iPod is probably too loud if you can hear the music they're listening to 3 feet away," Fendrich said. She also recommends hearing protection for kids who go on hunting trips, or to rock concerts.

"Hearing can change - sometimes we don't know the reason. So parents with any concerns should refer their child for a hearing evaluation," Fendrich said.

For more information call the Rehabilitation Department at Avera McKennan, 322-5000.