Newborn Hearing Test In The Philippines You Should Know About

For every 1,000 babies, 1 to 2 are born with irreversible hearing loss in one or both ears. When a baby has spent more than 48 hours in intensive care, this number rises to around 1 in every 100.

Hearing loss that is permanent can have a substantial impact on a child’s development. Early detection increases the chances of these babies gaining language, speech, and communication skills.

Know more about newborn hearing screening in the Philippines.

Newborn hearing test Philippines
Newborn hearing test failed
How to test newborn hearing at home

8 important things you need to know about the newborn hearing test

1. Newborn hearing test in the Philippines

Newborn hearing test in the Philippines. | Photo by Burst from Pexelsv

Hearing testing is simple and painless. In reality, when babies are being tested, they are frequently asleep. It takes very little time — generally only a few minutes — to complete. The screening is sometimes repeated while the newborns are still in the hospital or soon after they leave.

Hearing screening for babies should be done by an audiologist. An audiologist is a professional that specializes in hearing evaluations.

This person will conduct additional tests to determine if a hearing loss exists. An audiologist can use a variety of tests to determine whether or not a baby has a hearing loss, how severe it is, and what type it is.

2. When is the hearing test administered

If you give birth in a hospital, your baby may be given a newborn hearing test before being discharged.

Otherwise, it will be done within the first few weeks by your healthcare provider. Your local newborn hearing screening program will contact you to schedule an appointment at a convenient time and location. The test should be done within the first 4 to 5 weeks of life, although it can be done as early as 3 months.

3. How much is a newborn hearing test

The cost of an OAE test in a testing center is presently P300, whereas the cost of an ABR test varies between P800 and P2,000.

In some Philippine hospitals, the cost of hearing examinations may also vary from P500 to P1,500 or more, depending on where you will have it.

Philhealth’s Newborn Care Package (NCP) which is worth P1,750 now includes the Newborn Hearing Screening Test. Particularly, the newborn hearing screening test according to the enhanced Philhealth NCP would cost P200.

If unqualified to avail of NCP, for some hospitals, newborn hearing tests might cost from P200 to P700.

4. How is the hearing test done

The automated otoacoustic emission (AOAE) test is a newborn hearing test. It only takes a few minutes.

Gentle clicking sounds are played through a little soft-tipped earpiece put in your baby’s ear. It isn’t always possible to receive clear answers on the first test. This happens to a lot of babies, and it doesn’t always imply your child will be deaf in the future.

It could indicate that:

When the test was performed, your baby was disturbed.
There was noise in the background.
Your child’s ear is full of fluid or has a temporary obstruction.

Your infant will be offered a second test in these instances. This could be the same as the first test, or it could be a different form known as the automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) test.

In the AABR exam, three little sensors are placed on your baby’s head and neck. Gentle clicking sounds are broadcast through soft headphones over your baby’s ears. This test will take between 5 and 15 minutes to complete.

Photo by Natalie from Pexels

Don’t worry because the newborn hearing test is perfectly safe and won’t harm your newborn in any way.

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5. How accurate are newborn hearing tests

While the AABR and OAE tests are the most common and effective options for newborn hearing examinations, they aren’t without flaws. It’s possible that the test will overlook some tones. This means your youngster could be partially deaf.

If you have a family history of hearing loss, your baby’s doctor or audiologist will likely recommend that you keep your baby’s hearing monitored for the rest of his or her life. This is preventative, as it aims to keep any hearing issues from delaying your baby’s development.

Even if there is no family history of hearing loss or known hearing problems, your child’s hearing should be examined on a regular basis.

6. Newborn hearing test failed

Before three months of age, all babies who do not pass the first screening should have a comprehensive hearing test.

Early detection of a hearing loss and enrollment in a program for babies with hearing loss (starting when the baby is six months old) allows a youngster to:

Improve interpersonal communication skills.
Perform well in school.
Get along with the other kids.

The newborn hearing test is highly recommended, but it’s not compulsory. If you decide not to have the screening test, you’ll be given checklists to help you check on your baby’s hearing as they grow older.

7. How to test newborn hearing at home

Photo by SHAHBAZ AKRAM from Pexels

The neonatal hearing test is strongly advised, although it is not required. If you opt out of the screening, you’ll be given checklists to keep track of your child’s hearing as they get older. As newborns grow older, some acquire hearing issues.

Even if your baby passed their newborn hearing screening, keep an eye on them as they grow and change for evidence that they’re hearing well.

Check to discover if your baby’s hearing development is on track with these guidelines. Just remember that every baby is different and reaches milestones at various ages.

Birth to 3 months old

When spoken to, he or she smiles or relaxes.
When loud noises are heard, it reacts.
Produces gentle tones
When you cry, he recognizes your voice and soothes down.

4 to 6 months old

Produces babbling noises
Likes to play with rattles and other items that generate noises
Loud noises can make you upset
With their sight, they follow sounds
Responds to vocal tones

7 to 12 months old

Starts repeating sounds
Responds to their own name or another sound
Simple requests, such as “come here,” are met with a positive response
Looks at what you’re saying
Sounds are followed by a look or a turn in the direction of the sounds
When someone speaks to him, he listens

8. What to do: newborn hearing test failed

If your baby’s audiologist confirms hearing loss, treatment and early intervention should begin right away.

According to studies, if any hearing problems are detected and assistance and intervention begin by 6 months of age, your kid will have the highest chance of developing spoken language on par with hearing peers. The sooner you start, the better.

If you suspect your child has a hearing problem, arrange an appointment with a hearing expert with the help of your pediatrician.

9. Is newborn hearing test screening mandatory?

Image from Shutterstock

Some hospitals might only offer you hearing test screening after you have delivered your newborn baby. But, in some countries, like the Philippines, it is a law.

Republic Act 9709, or an “Act That Establishes the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening for the Prevention, Early Diagnosis, and Intervention of Hearing Loss”, mandates that all Filipino babies should be tested and screened in regard to their hearing capacity.

It strictly states that discharge of the baby from the hospital would only be allowed if he/she undergoes a hearing screening test first.

For babies delivered outside the hospital, they are required to undergo a hearing screening test within the first three months from the day they were born.

FQAs to remember on newborn hearing test

Newborn hearing test

This screening process is a diagnostic test that identifies any problems or issues with regard to your baby’s hearing and ears.

Newborn hearing test screening price in the Philippines

In most Philippine hospitals, newborn hearing screening test prices would cost from P200 to P2,000.

How does newborn hearing test work

A newborn hearing test works by using two methods. The first one is otoacoustic emissions or OAE. In OAE, doctors put a small ear probe in the baby’s ear canal. Then, they will play a sound and the ear will bounce back an echo.

The second one is the auditory brainstem response (ABR). In ABR, doctors put little electrodes on the forehead or head, and one behind each ear.

Then, they will play a sound and the doctors can measure the response from the little electrodes. These methods are both safe and painless for a newborn baby.

Image from Shutterstock

How long does a newborn hearing test take

Both the OAE and ABR would only take a few minutes. The tests are usually done when your baby is asleep or settled. You may accompany your baby while doing the tests.

Is a newborn hearing test mandatory?

In the Philippines, it is mandated by the law to have a newborn hearing test for babies before allowing them to be discharged from the hospital.

In this way, hearing loss problems and issues at birth might be supported and guided.

Even if the newborn hearing screening test is mandated or not, it is better to know earlier how you and your baby will cope with the rest of his/her life if you found out that he/she might be deaf.

Hearing loss and its treatment or aid is not anything new.

You can guide your baby in their future social life without any hindrances of his/her disability. Do not wait until your baby experiences a worse life.

Additional information by Nathanielle Torre

CDC, NHS UK, WebMD, Healthline, Healthy Children, Acta Medica Philippina, PhilHealth, Active Hearing

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. TheAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.

All you need to know about newborn hearing test in the Philippines

Here's what you need to know about the newborn hearing test - how important it is for your baby, how much it costs, and how it is done.