Bringing your baby into the world is one of the most beautiful and emotional experiences you will ever have. As you welcome your little one, you will want to ensure he/she is in perfect health. To ensure this, your newborn will need to undergo a set of health check-ups during the first few days of life. One of these essential tests is a hearing test for newborn children. So, what happens if your baby does not pass the initial hearing screening?
There is absolutely no need to worry! Not passing the hearing test does not always imply that your child has hearing loss. It actually is a quite common phenomenon and you can take various steps to get clarity about the child’s condition and receive appropriate support. Here, in this post, we will have a detailed discussion on what you should do, if your newborn does not pass the hearing test. Read on for further insights.
Why is a Hearing Test Important for Your Newborn?
Hearing is highly essential for your little one’s language development, social skills, and learning. Detection of hearing loss in the initial stage can lead to better results in communication, education, and overall development of a child. This is the reason hospitals conduct a hearing test for a newborn, before a baby leaves for home.
This hearing test is a painless screening process which helps detect hearing issues as early as possible. It also ensures your child receives proper treatment.
What Does it Mean if Your Baby Didn’t Pass the Hearing Test?
If your newborn didn’t pass the hearing test, there is no reason to panic. Not passing the initial test does not mean that your child has hearing loss.
Here are some of the primary reasons why your baby might fail the hearing test:
- There is fluid or debris in the ears. This is a very common reason, especially if the baby is born through C-section or after a fast delivery.
- The baby was crying or making movements while the test was conducted.
- The test was conducted in a noisy environment.
- The baby has temporary hearing loss. This happens because of mild congestion and it clears on its own.
What Should Be Your Next Step?
If your little one did not pass the hearing test for newborn, the following steps are recommended:
Set Up a Follow Up Test
If the baby does not pass the initial test, he/she will need to undergo a follow up diagnostic examination. This test should happen within the first 3 weeks of life. This test will be more meticulous and it will decide if your baby has hearing loss and if he/she does, then to what extent.
Make sure to schedule this test as early as possible as time is a crucial factor here. Your baby should start getting treatment within the age of 6 months, if hearing loss is detected.
Seek Help from Hearing Specialists
If the test confirms hearing loss, you have to take your baby to an audiologist, an ENT specialist, or consider an early treatment program for your newborn. These specialists will guide you through the best options available, whether it is to use hearing aids, cochlear implant, or speech and language therapy instead. Follow a treatment procedure suggested by a qualified expert.
Early Hearing Support Can Be Highly Beneficial
The sooner you work on addressing your little one’s hearing issues, the more beneficial it will be. Babies start learning language extremely early, even when they are in the womb. Providing them with early hearing support will ensure they do not fall behind in learning necessary language and communication skills.
Final Thoughts
If your baby didn’t pass the initial hearing test, remember, it was only the first step to learning about his/her hearing abilities. It does not always indicate he/she has hearing loss. Stay calm, gather correct information and visit a qualified audiologist to carry out a thorough hearing test for newborn.
If you are looking to get a reliable Hearing test in South Kolkata for a thorough diagnosis of your little one’s hearing state, you do not have to look further than Happy Ears. After a meticulous examination, our expert audiologist will recommend to you the most effective and appropriate treatment process for your baby. Provide your newborn with healthy hearing abilities and ensure holistic learning and growth with our secure and quality treatment support. Connect with us today for an appointment.
