Up to 3 in every 1,000 babies are born with permanent hearing loss, making it the most common congenital abnormality. A baby with undetected hearing loss may not develop the normal speech and language needed for learning, and a loss not picked up until age two or three can lead to lasting speech, language, learning, social and emotional difficulties.
We believe in early identification so that intervention, if needed, can begin at a young age. All babies can and should have their hearing tested with Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE) before leaving hospital, or before their six-week check-up. Screening can be done as early as 12 hours after birth.
Tami Mehl Audiology uses Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE) in our hearing screening. This type of special electrophysiological testing which does not require a behavioural response from the baby. During this test, a miniature earphone and microphone are placed lightly in the ear, sounds are played and the baby’s response is measured.
If the baby hears normally, an echo is reflected back into the ear canal and is measured by the microphone. If a baby has fluid in the ear from after birth, an ear infection or a possible hearing loss, no echo can be measured and further testing may be required.
Tami Mehl Audiology offers neonatal hearing screening at these maternity units:
If you have a concern, question or related issue, please contact us today. We can help.
FAQs
Up to 3 in every 1,000 babies are born with permanent hearing loss, the most common congenital abnormality. A baby with undetected hearing loss may not develop the speech and language needed for learning. Early screening allows early intervention, which gives your baby the best possible start.
Ideally every baby should have a hearing screening before leaving the hospital, or before their six-week check-up. Screening can be done from as little as 12 hours after birth and is available at most hospitals.
We screen newborns using Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE), a gentle test that needs no response from the baby. A miniature earphone and microphone are placed lightly in the ear, soft sounds are played, and the baby's response is measured.
Newborn hearing screening is completely safe, painless and non-invasive. The OAE test simply plays soft sounds into the ear and records the response, and it is often done while your baby is calm or asleep.
A refer result does not necessarily mean your baby has a hearing loss. It is common for fluid in the ear or a minor ear infection to affect the result, so further testing is simply recommended. If a hearing loss is confirmed, early identification means support can begin promptly.
