Question
Why might a newborn fail the hearing screening, and is there hope for recovery?
Answer
A failed hearing screening could be due to factors such as secretions in the external ear canal or middle ear, high levels of activity in the infant, nasal congestion, or interference from surrounding noise. During the wait for a definitive diagnosis, parents should be cautious to prevent the baby from catching a cold or choking on milk to reduce the risk of middle ear effusion.