Frequently Asked Questions

If my child has hearing loss, where can I receive future services?
The HEAR team at Children's Hospital provides treatment services such as, hearing aids, speech language therapy and habilitation services for children with hearing impairment.

How often does my child need a hearing test?
Any time you or someone else close to your child suspects a hearing loss, call your physician. Once your child has a normal test, future assessment is generally not recommended unless you suspect a loss in the future. School age children should be screened at the following times: on first entry into school, every year from kindergarten through 3rd grade, in 7th grade, in 11th grade, upon entrance into special education, upon grade repetition, upon entering a new school system without evidence of having passed a previous hearing screening.

What happens if and infant does not pass the screening?
Infants who do not pass a screening are often given a second screening to confirm findings and then referred for follow-up aduiological and medical evaluation that should occur no later than three months of age. These evaluations confirm the presence of hearing loss; and help identify options for treatment. Even if the infant passes the screening, certain conditions do not produce immediate hearing loss. Rather, the hearing loss occurs later in the child's development.

An infant with any of the following indicators for progressive or delayed-onset hearing loss should receive audiologic monitoring every six months until age three years.

High Risk Populations

1. Family History of permanent childhood hearing loss

2. Characteristics or other findings associated with a syndrome known to include a sensorineural and or conductive hearing loss.

3.  Infections including bacterial meningitis and mumps.

4.  In utero infections such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes, rubella, syphilis and Toxoplasmosis.

5.  Neonatal indicators - specifically Hyperbilirubinemia at a serum level requiring exchange transfusion, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn associated with mechanical ventilation, and conditions requiring the use of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).

6.  Syndromes associated with progressive hearing loss, such as neurofibromatosis, osteopetrosis, and Usher's syndrome.

7.  Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Hunter syndrome, or sensory motor neuropathies, such as Friedreich's ataxia and Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome.

8.  Head Trauma

9.  Recurrent or persistent otitis media with effusion for at least three months.

10. Anatomic disorders that affect Eustachian tube function, such as, cleft palate.

11. Persons treated with ototoxic drugs:  ampicillin, gentamycin, tobramycin (Cystic Fibrosis), aminoglycosides, desforal (Sickle Cell Disease), chemotherapeutic agents, (such as carboplatinum and cisplatinum).

12. Persons undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

13. Apgar scores of 0-4 at one minute, or 0-6 at five minutes.

What are the legal requirements with children with hearing impairment?
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in its regulations requires states to develop and implement a statewide system of early intervention services for infants and toddlers. It is required that infants and toddlers with disabilities be identified and evaluated using at risk criteria and appropriate audiologic screening techniques. After a hearing loss is confirmed, coordination of services should be facilitated by the infant's medical manager and the IDEA coordinating agencies.

Contact your local school district, or your state or local health department to find out how to obtain screenings / evaluations and intervention services through your state's Early Intervention Program.

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