Having a new baby is always a joyful time – but it can be worrying sometimes, too. If you’re concerned about your baby’s hearing or are just wondering what the newborn hearing test entails, we’ll explain exactly what you can expect for your little one.
Why should my baby have the newborn hearing test?
It’s important to be aware of any hearing loss your baby may be suffering. Since one to two babies each year are born with permanent hearing loss, either in one of both of their ears, picking up any hearing issues straightaway is key to giving your child the best possible start in life. The chance of this occurring is greater in babies who have spent time in intensive care.
Hearing loss isn’t necessarily due to any genetic condition, although, of course, it can be. However, many babies are born to parents or families that have no history at all of any permanent hearing damage or loss. This is why it’s so important to identify any issues early.
If hearing loss is missed at the newborn stage, your baby could struggle developmentally – they’ll find it more difficult to understand speech, develop language and start talking and communicating. They might miss milestones, struggle to form those key early bonds and attachments and find it difficult to understand you and the world around them.
Getting a hearing test
Often, a newborn hearing test is conducted while you’re in hospital with your newborn – it’s best that it’s done within three months of your baby’s birth. It’s a gentle and straightforward process for your baby that shouldn’t cause them pain or discomfort.
If you’re not sure whether your baby has had the test or needs to book in with an audiologist in Bristol or any other major city, specialists such as Imperial Hearing at www.imperialhearing.com/audiologist-near-me/bristol/ can help.
Hearing loss, when correctly identified early enough, can be managed very effectively, and you’ll be able to adapt and learn skills that will help your baby to develop their speech and language.
