Hearing is a wonderful gift that connects us to the world around us.
Imagine not being able to hear the laughter of friends, the rustle of leaves, or your favorite song.
For some people, this is their reality, and many are born with hearing loss.
But there’s good news! Nowadays, we have amazing ways to detect hearing loss in babies right after they’re born. It’s essential because the sooner we know, the sooner we can help.
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How is Hearing Loss Detected in Newborns?
A simple and painless test called the “hearing screening” is done when a baby is born. This test is usually done before leaving the hospital or in the first few weeks of life.
It involves placing tiny earphones on the baby’s ears and measuring the response to sounds. If a baby doesn’t respond well to the sounds, further tests may be needed.
Why is Early Detection Important?
- Early Intervention: If we know a baby has hearing loss early on, we can start helping them right away. Early intervention can make a big difference in their ability to learn and communicate.
- Development Milestones: Hearing loss can impact a child’s speech and language development. Catching it early means we can support them in reaching their developmental milestones.
- Parental Guidance: Knowing about hearing loss helps parents learn how to communicate effectively with their child. They can start learning sign language or using hearing aids if needed. By detecting hearing loss at birth, we can give children the best chance at a bright and joyful future.
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Ms. Rashmi Prabha
Assistant Professor
Department of Physiotherapy
Autonomous institute of Health Sciences