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New parents often sing lullabies and expect the babies
hear the music. Now, parents are getting reassurance from a test done
in the hospital before the baby goes home.
Currently, 24 states have passed legislation requiring
newborn hearing screening. In Missouri, newborn screenings become mandatory
in January 2002. (A similar law in Kansas was put into effect last year.)
St. Mary's Hospital of Blue Springs implemented its program last March,
and Saint Joseph Health Center begins this fall.
"A baby's hearing is directly linked to his or her
development," says Kim Thornhill, RCN, MSM, coordinator for the screenings
at St. Mary's Hospital. "If children with hearing loss are found
early, they can begin treatment and therapy early, improving the chances
for normal speech development."
The screening takes just a few minutes using a small
device that vibrates the cochlea in the ear. The test immediately lets
parents know the baby has passed--or the baby is referred to an audiologist
for further testing and follow-up.
Jay Dunfield, MD, with the Old Westport group in the medical
mall of Saint Joseph Health Center warns parents not to over react to
a failed test. "Sometimes the accuracy of the test can be thrown
by debris in the baby's ear," says Dunfield. "The debris can
be left from the birth process and give false negatives. It's important
that the person doing the screening is properly trained and the ears are
checked to be sure they're ready for testing."
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