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At birth, mandatory newborn hearing screening identifies babies who require referrals for rescreening or follow up services. If your baby is referred, it is important to make a follow up appointment with a pediatric audiologist as soon as possible. Although your baby had a hearing test at birth, some babies may lose hearing later because of illness, injuries, medicine, or a family history of hearing loss. Watch for signs of hearing loss as your baby grows. |
Early Identification, Amplification and Intervention is Critical
Babies born with hearing loss are not starting from the same point as a child with typical hearing – as they have missed out on 20 weeks of development of their auditory brain pathways, as well as the neural development missed before they are diagnosed. Babies born with hearing loss are starting from a point of neurological emergency because they have a limited window of time in which to catch up. During the first three years of life, vital connections are made in the central nervous system that are uniquely attuned to receive auditory and linguistic information. In the absence of auditory information, nature has efficiently arranged for alternate use of the brain areas reserved for deciphering hearing, space that can not be reclaimed as effectively again.
The focus must be on early detection, amplification and enhanced listening experiences to urgently develop auditory neural connections so that optimal developmental periods for brain growth can be maximized.
What is the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program (EHDI) ?
Since January 2002, state law has required that all babies born in New Jersey have their hearing screened (checked) before leaving the hospital or before one month of age. A quick and painless screening test is used to measure whether your baby can hear. You will get the results before you leave the hospital. If your baby is referred for additional testing, it is important to make a follow up appointment with a pediatric audiologist as soon as possible.
A Baby With Normal Hearing Should Be Able To:
Birth to 3 Months
Blink or jump when there is a sudden loud sound
Quiet or smile when spoken to
Make sounds like “ohh” and “ahh”
3 to 6 Months
Look for sounds with eyes
Start babbling “baba”, “mama”, “gaga”
Use many sounds, squeals and chuckles
6 to 9 Months
Turn head toward loud sounds
Understand “no-no” or “bye-bye”
Babble sounds like “baba”, “mama”, “gaga”
9 to 12 Months
Repeat simple words and sounds you make
Correctly use “mama” or “dada”
Respond to singing or music
Point to favorite toys or objects when asked
For More Information Contact:
Early Hearing & Intervention Program
Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 364
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
Voice: (609) 292-5676
Voice /TTY: (609) 984 1343
FAX: (609) 633-7820
Email: EHDI@doh.state.nj.us
