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It Is So Easy
to Identify Babies
with Hearing Loss

 

The Importance of Newborn Hearing Screening!

Let us show you how to help babies with hearing impairment achieve their full potential and how essential newborn hearing screening is to everyone.

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What is Newborn Hearing Screening?

Most babies are born with normal hearing and experience the beauty of sound from the beginning —but 1-3 out of 1000 are born with hearing loss. Those children cannot properly hear their parents speak, sing or read to them which delays speech and language learning. Newborn hearing screening identifies babies at risk for hearing loss so they can be evaluated and treated early.

The hearing screening is performed in the hospital by a nurse or outside of the hospital by a health professional. Many countries have implemented Universal Newborn Hearing Screening so that every baby has access to hearing screening soon after birth.

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What Does it Mean if a Baby Does Not PASS the Newborn Hearing Screening?


When a baby does not Pass the hearing screening it means that more testing is needed. The baby could have hearing loss and it is important to follow-up.
It does not mean that your baby definitely has permanent hearing loss. Temporary conditions can affect the result even for a baby with normal hearing. These conditions include:

 

  • The ear canal was blocked with fluid or vernix (white coating on the skin) which clears in a few days.
  • The baby was too active or awake during the screening.
  • There was interference in the test room such as background noise or electrical interference

 

Screeners try to control the test conditions to get a reliable test. Waiting to screen until the baby is at least 12 hours old can avoid issues with fluid in the ear canal. It is best to screen when the baby is sleeping quietly after being fed. Also screeners should try to find a quiet room for testing.
When a baby does not pass the first screening, many Newborn Hearing Screening programs will perform a second screening before sending the baby on for more in depth testing.
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What Happens after Failing the Newborn Hearing Screening Test Several Times?


If a newborn fails a hearing screening repeatedly, follow-up evaluations should be performed. Diagnostic tests are usually performed by audiologists or ENT doctors in the community.

The evaluation will confirm if hearing loss is present and determine the type and severity of the hearing loss. The baby may also be referred for further medical evaluations if a hearing loss is confirmed. Understanding the cause, type and severity of the hearing loss is important for defining a treatment plan. For a baby with permanent hearing loss, some intervention options include hearing aids, cochlear implants or early intervention (educational support, speech & language therapy, communication methods).

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What Can I Do if there Is No NHS Program Provided in my Country/Hospital?

Universal newborn hearing screening is being implemented in more countries around the world every year, but still many countries do not have programs in place. In some areas, the resources for infant hearing screening and the follow-up services for diagnostic testing are very limited or do not exist locally.


If universal newborn hearing screening is not available in your area/hospital or you have concerns that your child does not hear properly, your best resource for information is likely to be one of these professionals.

  • Your baby’s doctor
  • An ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist
  • An Audiologist in a hospital or clinic
  • An administrator in your school district

MAICO Solutions for Newborn Hearing Screening

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    For OAE screening and testing
    ERO•SCAN


    • Screening and diagnostic tests with TEOAE and /or DPOAE
    • Automated tests with Pass/ Refer and graphical result display
    • Color OLED-display and button navigation
    • 2 DP and 2 TE screening protocols
    • 5 DP and 3 TE diagnostic protocols, customizable protocols included
    • Wireless PC connection and optional printer



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    Screening without disposables
    MB II BERAphone®


    • Automated ABR screening for fast results
    • Integrated electrodes to save costs for disposables
    • Comfortable hearing screening for the baby without adhesive disposables
    • With automatic impedance check to indicate test conditions
    • USB connection for data transfer and recharging
    • Export patient data for tracking



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    The name says it all
    easyScreen


    • Now available with unique BERAphone®
    • Fast and easy ABR + OAE screening
    • Results within seconds due to powerful ABR detection algorithm
    • On-screen guidance for ideal test conditions and accurate results
    • Large LED-color screen for comfortable navigation
    • HearSIM™ patient database and device manager



MAICO Diagnostics may not offer the products, services, or features displayed on this Website in all countries.
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Did You Know?

Premature infants react positively (lower heart rate, respiratory rate and activity) if they are provided with recorded speech or lullabies. ABR-based hearing screening with the MB 11 BERAphone has confirmed that the children under study have no hearing loss.