Newborn Hearing Screening

Out of every 1000 children born in India, there may be 5–6 such children who cannot hear properly. Because there are no visual indicators, most hearing-impaired children who are not screened at birth are not identified until between 1½ and 3 years of age, which is well beyond the critical period for healthy speech and language development. However, with the help of newborn hearing screening, a hearing-impaired child can be identified and treated early. In such a case, the child will most likely develop language, speech, and social skills comparable to his or her normal-hearing peers, and thus avoid a lifetime of hearing-loss related disabilities. Human nervous system has plasticity hence early intervention is needed.
Every individual has a right to lead a healthy life. Communication disorder like hearing impairment has its onset very early in life. Only through systematic early detection programs will infants with hearing loss can be assured of a chance to develop their full potential to become fully active, contributing, and integrated members of society. For their sake and ours, we cannot afford to waste any more time. Regardless of the age of onset, all children with hearing loss require prompt identification and intervention by appropriate professionals. Many protocols for hearing screening in newborns are used across globe. India is a developing country and we must take care of cost effectiveness. So the protocol which is very suitable for Indian scenario is OAE followed by BERA (Two Stage Protocol).

Two Stage Protocol

• OAE- After 24 Hours of Birth and Before Discharging from the Hospital
  OAE Pass and New Born have No High Risk Factor
  No need for Futher Test and Parents are Adviced to monitor Speech, Language and Communication Milestones at home
• OAE if Refer or Fail
  Newborn rescreening at 1 months of age is required.
  If again Fails or Refer at 1 month s of age. Diagnostic Test at 3 months of age is required to be administered.