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Newborn hearing screening

14 replies

Nic91 · 12/07/2022 12:40

My newborn failed her hearing screening at a few hours old and also at 5 days old. She was a quick water birth and is now 3 weeks old. I've had bad anxiety since the 'failed' screening and have her audiology appointment tomorrow. Has anyone had similar experience or can give me advice? She seems to respond to noises particularly loud ones.

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astersugar · 12/07/2022 12:46

Hi, my baby failed her newborn hearing test in hospital too. I took her to the audiologist appointment and she was fine. Whatever the outcome it's good to pick it up early. My neighbour's child is deaf and has cochlear implants - they are a typical little kid and attend a mainstream school with a specialist base attached to cater for their particular needs. It'll be OK.

PinkButtercups · 12/07/2022 12:51

My DS failed in one ear whilst in hospital after birth but said it's probably just because all of the gunk and to book him back in with the audiology department for when he was a week old and they checked when he was a week old and it was all fine x

ToD101 · 12/07/2022 13:02

I'm a Teacher of the Deaf and work with children with everything from glue ear to profoundly Deaf BSL users. Please don't be anxious (hard, I know). There could be several reasons why your baby hasn't passed and it's not necessarily because of some kind of permanent loss. Your audiologist will explain everything and if needed you'll be allocated a Teacher of the Deaf who is there to support you and your child.

Try not to worry, if you can! Enjoy the newborn snuggles with your baby 😊

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Anyfeckinusername · 12/07/2022 13:08

My son failed it too, and a few days later he failed it again.

i had a long wait of several weeks for the next appointment. I phoned the regional hospital and before I knew it I was crying down the phone about how worried I was - he had been diagnosed with congenital hypothyroidism at this stage, picked up from the heel prick test - and hearing loss is an association.

The nurse on the phone oh my god she was so kind - she made me come in the next morning and squished me onto the day list. I remember him failing, failing, failing, feeling despair, sinking, and their determination to try get a positive response and then … they got one! She let out a yell of success and I felt a huge relief that there was at least hearing in one ear. That was HUGE.

they eventually got positive audio responses from both ears. He was missing some audio ranges (he went on to have more extensive tests done) and was tested periodically at the audio specialists until he was about four I think. It affected his speech a little for sure, and it was like he was speaking a different language but I was able to understand it 😊 he had enough range to not need intervention. He had respiratory issues and the audiologist kept saying let’s just see how he is once his lungs and infections (and basically gunk levels) reduce…

he’s never needed hearing aids, he’s 6 now, his writing is slightly behind because as the teacher said, “his speech informs his writing” but he is absolutely fine!

I remember noticing he would flinch as a baby if a door banged and I would feel relief 😊

try not to worry and good luck x

Nic91 · 12/07/2022 13:15

Hi.
Thanks for your reassurance and positivity. Whatever the outcome, I'll accept it and get the support she needs. I think it's just the unknown and waiting causing more worry.
How long after your little ones failed screening was your audiology appointment?

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Nic91 · 12/07/2022 13:20

Hi Any,

Your little one sounds to be doing so well! My daughter's heel prick results were all fine. She had a lot of mucus when born and congested in the early days so I'm hoping this is the reason for the failed hearing screening.
Just a worry with all the waiting but hoping tomorrow sheds some light.

Thank you.

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duvetfan · 12/07/2022 13:21

DS 1 failed his newborn one. He was a very fast birth and they said it was likely to be mucas and I'd my second stage was so fast that he'd not had enough of my contractions to force out all the fluid. He also had a cough and snotty nose etc.
He went for a second one at audiology, I can't remember how old he was and it was fine. He had gromit later as he was prone to ear infections etc until he was about 7 when all sorted itself out.

Nic91 · 12/07/2022 13:24

Hi ToD,

Thanks for your reply and reassurance. I'm a 2nd time mum but even so, having this worry in the early stages with hormones everywhere has caused a lot of distress. No matter what, I'll always be there for my daughter and get the support she needs if it's needed.

Lots of people have said it could be temporary due to fluid or gunk. She was a quick water birth. She had a lot of mucus first few days.

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Nic91 · 12/07/2022 13:27

Hi Duvetfan,

This just sounds like my daughter!

1st week or so she was very snotty, congested and coughing and was a quick water birth. Contractions came thick and fast and very intense! My birth with all 3 stages lasted 3 hours.

She is now 3 weeks old, no mucus and doesn't appear to be snotty or congested anymore.

Your story sounds positive and hope this is the same for my daughter.

Thanks.

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Nic91 · 12/07/2022 13:29

Hi Pink,

My little one was hours old when first tested then 4-5 days old and failed both.

Hoping it is temporary and is just gunk. She reacts to noises so all the positive signs are there.

Thanks for your reply.

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ScarlettOHaraHamiltonKennedyButler · 12/07/2022 13:29

Yes DD failed her newborn hearing test and then another test a few weeks later. We went for specialist testing at 3 or 4 months (don't remember exactly) and she passed it fine. No issues since.

Nic91 · 12/07/2022 13:32

Hi Scarlett,

This is positive news and gives me hope. I know testing and screening is good but sometimes causes more worry in the early days.

Thanks.

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Phillipa12 · 12/07/2022 13:43

My son failed his screening and then at 4 weeks old he was diagnosed with a hearing loss. His level of hearing loss did reduce over 12 weeks as he had fluid in his ears still from an emcs. At 6 months he was fitted with hearing aids and we were allocated a teacher of the deaf. He is now 13, he has had no speech delay, is doing exceptionally well in secondary school and has many friends. The only comments he gets are about the colour of his aids, at the moment they are a teal colour, he has had silver, blue green and bronze apparently they are cool....
Please try not to worry and enjoy your precious newborn .

Nic91 · 13/07/2022 11:57

Hi ToD,

Been to audiology appointment today with my 3 week old after 2 failed hospital newborn hearing screenings at few hours old and 5 days old.

They got no response from tests and said they will retest to make sure but are diagnosing hearing loss. I have been crying and anxious since the 1st failed screening.

Can you give me advice on what next?
Audiology are repeating test but said about looking at fitting hearing aids as next step. She startles to loud noises.

I know of others who have 'failed' many tests even at audiology.

Trying to make sense of it all!

Worried mum.

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