Question
What are the standards for newborn hearing screening? What should parents do if the screening does not pass?
Answer
The standards for newborn hearing screening typically depend on the results of professional equipment. If the screening does not pass, parents should not be overly concerned, as there may still be amniotic fluid residue in the newborn’s ears, which can affect the test results. It is recommended that parents closely observe their child’s response to various sounds in daily life and take the following measures: avoid exposing the child to noise, use caution with medications that may be harmful to the ears, prevent colds and head injuries. Most importantly, parents should take their child back to the hospital for follow-up appointments on time. In most cases, the child’s hearing will eventually return to normal. Even if a hearing impairment is diagnosed, early treatment and intervention can give the child a great chance to integrate into mainstream society.