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An infant should have a hearing test if he or she did not pass the newborn hearing screening test in one or both ears. Even if your baby passed the newborn hearing screening test, your baby's hearing should be tested again if there is a reason why your baby might develop a hearing loss.
Reasons your child might develop a hearing loss:
- infections at birth such as cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- being on a ventilator for a long time
- having congenital diaphragmatic hernia or needing ECMO therapy
- having repeated courses of IV antibiotics and diuretics
- having a syndrome in which hearing loss often occurs
- having a close relative who had hearing loss in childhood
Your child's hearing also should be checked if:
- your child is not starting to understand words and to talk at the usual age
- your baby has frequent ear infections or persistent middle ear fluid
- you think your baby is not responding normally to sounds
Your baby's doctor can help to determine whether your child's hearing should be tested again. All children should have a hearing screening test in preschool and/or before starting kindergarten.
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