Childhood deafness: newborn screening and more

One child in a thousand is born with severe deafness problems, to the point of compromising language development. Early diagnosis, at birth, and controls in the following months are fundamental.

It is the first of the five senses to develop. Still in the belly, babies feel what is happening outside. And, after birth, it is fundamental for cognitive development: without hearing it is almost impossible to interact with adults and other children.

According to some surveys, about one in 1000 children is born with a deafness problem so severe that it compromises the acquisition of language.

Some of the leading Italian experts talked about it at the recent Hearing for everyone congress, supported by Audium.

A simple and non-invasive examination

It is not present in all Italian hospitals, but it is spreading. The hope is that it will soon be carried out in all regions. In this sense, there are many awareness-raising initiatives and information campaigns. Such as, for example, that of the OBM, Ospedale dei Bambini di Milano Buzzi onlus.

We are talking about general screening for hearing disorders that, if done on newborns, allows you to intervene immediately and ensure a total recovery.

It consists in the measurement of acoustic otoemissions: in practice it serves to verify if the cochlea, a part of the inner ear in the shape of a snail, emits sound waves when it is stimulated by external impulses.

The examination is absolutely non-invasive: it lasts one minute, is performed after 2 or 3 days of life and the child does not notice anything.

If the result is not convincing, the test is repeated after three weeks. And if even in this case the outcome is negative, we move on to another examination: the measurement of auditory evoked potentials.

It consists in making the child listen to “clicks” and in the meantime the brain wave generated by these sounds is measured, thanks to three electrodes applied to the skin of the head.

It lasts half an hour and this examination is also non-invasive. If the result is negative, the deficit is better deepened with more complex audiological examinations. And eventually the treatment is decided.

In 2011, only 78% of Italian newborns were subjected to it. But the situation could change soon, given that newborn hearing screening has been included in the National Health Plan 2011-2013 as a priority of the birth pathway.

Warning signs during growth

Some hearing disorders arise after birth. This is why it is important that parents carefully follow the behaviors that their children adopt towards sounds and noises.

In general, it is enough to grasp moods, observe facial expression and attitudes when, for example, there is a loud noise, such as a door slamming.

And as it grows it is easy to notice if, calling it by name, it does not turn around. Or if it doesn’t answer your questions.

In all cases where a hearing problem is suspected, it is advisable to contact your family pediatrician who, if he deems it appropriate, will subject the child to the most appropriate examinations and tests.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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