Recent research concluded that children born with a hearing loss who are identified and given appropriate intervention before six months of age had significantly better language skills than those identified after six months of age. Studies have also indicated that detection of hearing loss during infancy followed with appropriate intervention minimizes the need for rehabilitation during the school years. Auditory brainstem responses are measured by placing electrodes on the baby's head and sound is introduced to the baby's ears through tiny earphones. The electrodes measure the brain's response to sound. The test is painless and must be done while the baby is quiet or sleeping.
Otoacoustic emissions are faint sounds produced by most normal inner ears.
The sounds cannot be heard by people, but can be detected by a very sensitive microphone placed into the baby's ear canal. A tiny flexible plug is inserted into the ear and a sound is projected. The microphone then records the emission produced in the ear in response to the incoming sound. Emissions are not detected in an infant with a hearing loss.