Patient's question:
My baby is just 45 days old. Hearing tests were conducted on the third day and the 42nd day, respectively, for initial and follow-up checks. Neither ear passed the test. I'm very worried. Could you please tell me what could be the general reasons for this and what should be done?Doctor's answer:
Neonatal hearing screening is an objective, simple, and rapid method for screening neonatal hearing impairment. It can be further used for diagnosis and follow-up observation. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) are commonly used methods for neonatal hearing screening. Both of these techniques are internationally recognized non-invasive technologies. Otoacoustic Emissions are widely applied in hearing screening in most hospitals in China. Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) is primarily used for neonatal hearing screening in Intensive Care Units (ICUs). A normal cochlea can produce very soft sounds. These sounds are transmitted through the ossicular chain and eardrum to the external auditory canal and can be detected. If an infant has cochlear hearing loss, no auditory emissions will be generated, and Otoacoustic Emissions cannot be detected. The Auditory Brainstem Response can reflect the function of the external ear, middle ear, cochlea, and cochlear nerve pathways.