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Understanding Newborn Hearing Tests: What a Failed Screening Really Means

Hearing loss is a fairly common birth defect, affecting two to three out of 1,000 babies. But even if your baby fails the initial hearing test, it doesn’t necessarily mean that a hearing loss exists. Two to 10 percent of newborns in the U.S. fail their first hearing screening, and of those, less than one percent have permanent hearing loss; follow-up screenings often come back normal. A failed hearing test can be the result of crying and fussing during the exam or a buildup of fluid or debris in the ears.

girl getting an ear exam

Why Older Children May Fail Hearing Tests: Common Causes and Solutions

Older children, too, can have a failed hearing test for a number of reasons. Fluid in the ear or excess wax can negatively affect the results. It’s best to have a trained audiologist perform a hearing test in a clinical setting in order to be sure.

Hearing Tests for Children: Methods and What They Reveal

There are several different hearing tests that an audiologist can administer, based on your child’s age, development and health. These include:

  • Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. Clicking sounds are transmitted through earphones, and electrodes measure the auditory system’s response.
  • Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test. Pulse-type sounds are delivered through a probe in the ear canal, and the “echo” response from cells in the inner ear is recorded.
  • Soft sounds and air pressure are introduced in the ear canal to measure movement of the eardrum.
  • Middle ear muscle reflex (MEMR). A rubber tip is inserted in the ear canal, and a series of sounds that should trigger reflexes are delivered through the tips.

If your infant or child fails any of these hearing tests, solutions are available to assist their growth and development.

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