Newborn hearing test questions

[neenee]

Ben failed his newborn hearing test FIVE times! Granted the first four times he was fussy so they attributed it to that. However, the last test (yesterday) he was totally calm and still failed. So, he is now scheduled to see a specialist on Monday.

I don't believe my kids had this done. My DD is so upset and worried now. I don't know what to say to calm her because I don't have any experience or knowledge about the accuracy of the test and how often infants fail them when there really is nothing to worry about.

Anyone have any knowledge about how accurate these newborn hearing tests are?

[kresta]

I'm not really sure, but reading this made me remember a friend of mine talking about this on FB the other day. Her newborn failed it a lot as well and was going for one more test w/ a specialist one day last week. He finally passed it when he went there. It must be more common than I thought to not pass it at first. Tell your daughter not to worry until she's sure there's something to worry about. (I know, as a new mom, that is much easier said than done.)

[emmasmommy]

i'm with kresta. 110%. keep us posted!

[heathergw]

my girlfriend is an audiologist... the tests that the audiologist does is much more accurate (and done accurately) and it's super cool how they test hearing and how it all works... sometimes there is a little extra skin that is blocking the sound and as they grow a little bit it goes away... I wouldn't worry until after the testing is done by the specialist. I'll be lifting you guys up in my prayers.

[neenee]

Thank you girls! I am just in tears. Being a grandmother is so much harder than it is being a Mom. It sounds strange I'm sure but, all of my emotions are magnified with Ben. It's like I hurt for him and for my daughter, so it's a double whammy.

She had an appointment today at 9:30 but she had to cancel it and move it to Monday because I couldn't take her today due to a doctor appt of my own. Now reading more about it...I should have cancelled my appt to take them. Ben is way more important. Plus, the wait is going to be torture until I know he is okay.

I will stay strong for DD but just had to vent to you girls. Thanks for your input and listening. XO

[kscwgirl]

Abby failed hers a couple of times and J failed his too. I wouldn't worry too much mama. Hugs!!

[meems]

My son failed one ear but was OK after we were tested by the audiologist. Hang in there!

[rach3975]

My Ben failed 4 times due to fluid in the ear then finally passed when he was a week or 2 old. I hope everything turns out fine at the audiologist's!

[Stacey42]

DS2 failed his a few times but my ped was comforting about it while I had to wait 2 weeks to see a specialist. She basically told me to watch him & see if he responds to voices or sounds, do his eyes move in the direction of the rattling block or over toward DH's voice. If you drop something behind him does he react? Since DS2 did all those things most of the time she said odds were good the problem was the testing not the baby.

I spend two weeks having DS1 drop things & clap his hands out of DS2's sight and trying to determine if he was reacting to them. Not sure if that helped me at all really but every time he did react I felt better. The specialist tested him & he passed. 3 years later we were back because of his speech problems, thinking they might be hearing related & he passed again. Turned out to be enlarged adnoids & tonsils behind the speech issues.

[meems]

Originally Posted by Stacey42

DS2 failed his a few times but my ped was comforting about it while I had to wait 2 weeks to see a specialist. She basically told me to watch him & see if he responds to voices or sounds, do his eyes move in the direction of the rattling block or over toward DH's voice. If you drop something behind him does he react? Since DS2 did all those things most of the time she said odds were good the problem was the testing not the baby.

I spend two weeks having DS1 drop things & clap his hands out of DS2's sight and trying to determine if he was reacting to them. Not sure if that helped me at all really but every time he did react I felt better. The specialist tested him & he passed. 3 years later we were back because of his speech problems, thinking they might be hearing related & he passed again. Turned out to be enlarged adnoids & tonsils behind the speech issues.

omigosh, now that you say this I remember DH & I doing the same thing! We kept making loud noises when our son's head was turned away.

[jessica31876]

My middle son had them done when he was a tad older and failed. We went to the specialists and he still failed it. He had had an ear infection recently so they tested again a few months later and he was fine. I think there are so many variables that could effect the test as well so until you know for sure Id try to not worry to much. Im sure he will be fine. Ill keep you guys in my thoughts though. I know how tough it is to not worry about somethinmg like this!!

[isaacsmom]

I would just add - stay positive and remember that the hearing screening is just that, a screening. I will be thinking of you and your daughter and grandson - I know how hard it is to think something may be wrong. Like others have said, there are so many variables that play into the screening. Keep us posted!