Hearing evaluation or hearing screening in the newborn is of great importance, because it allows early detection of newborns with hearing impairment and to provide the appropriate treatment for each patient.

Modern early detection techniques (otacoustic emissions and newborn auditory evoked potentials) make it possible to diagnose this defect very early and give the possibility of providing early stimulation to the child, which may allow him/her to hear, have access to oral language and reach a complete psychophysical development.

If hearing impairment is present, we must determine the degree of hearing impairment, which may be mild, moderate, severe or profound, and this will depend on the frequencies that cannot be heard.

This test is part of the Neonatology protocol of the
Hospital Metropolitano de Santiago
The incidence of hearing loss, which is becoming more and more worrisome every day.

Incidence of hearing loss in newborns:(CODEPEH)

• Five out of every 1,000 newborns suffer from varying degrees of deafness
• One in every 1,000 newborns has severe or profound deafness
• About two thousand families each year are affected by the presence of a hearing impairment in one of their children.
• 80% of permanent infantile deafness is present at birth.
• 60% of infantile deafness is genetic in origin.
• Risk indicators are identified in only 50% of newborns with deafness.

After early detection of hearing loss, there should be a multidisciplinary team to carry out counseling, treatment, rehabilitation and family support. The aim is to achieve the correct family, school and social integration of the deaf child. The ENT specialist is the professional who must assume the responsibility of coordinating and directing the actions carried out in this multidisciplinary team.

Raquel Guzman
Otrorhinolaryngology