HEARING LOSS IDENTIFICATION, HEARING AID FITTING AND ENROLLMENT IN EARLY INTERVENTION FOR NEWBORN

Zhao Y-R, Li D-T, Zhang X-J, Yin P, Yang S-Q

The 2nd Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China

Objective: To detect newborn with hearing loss coupled with hearing aid fitting and early intervention.

Methods: 1000 newborn at risk for hearing loss and 1000 newborn not at risk for hearing loss were detected for their hearing with behavioral technique for 3 times at 15th days, 1st month and 3rd month after birth respectively. Diagnosis testing was performed with auditory brain stem response for those without appropriated behavioral response. Infants diagnosed with permanent hearing loss were considered for hearing aids and early intervention.

Results: 6 infants with hearing loss were diagnosed (6/2000). Of 4 infants with hearing loss were from the newborn at risk for hearing loss (4/1000). The other 2 infants with hearing loss were from the newborn not at risk for hearing loss (2/1000). 6 infants with hearing loss fitted with hearing aids and enrolled in early intervention. The median age at identification and enrollment in early intervention was 8 mo. Median age at hearing aid fitting was 18 mo.

Conclusion: It is necessary for newborn at risk and not at risk for hearing loss to perform hearing screening. Early identification of hearing loss and early rehabilitative intervention will give an infant the best chance to develop normal speech and allow the family member to make appropriate adjusts that will enhance communication in the home environment.

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