Preemies and hearing

LizzieandGar

We got to take James home last Thursday. ?We are pleased as punch! While we never knew it would be this hard, we are so happy to have him with us instead of at the hospital where we couldn't be his primary care-takers. ?That was breaking my heart the most while he was in the NICU.

So, he got home on Thursday and on Friday evening while the baby was finished feeding, the smoke alarm went off. ?And that thing is so loud that even I jump. ?His eyes were peacefully closed the whole time. ?No reaction. ?I thought he would scream. ?DH thinks he just doesn't react like we would, I think that something that loud would make him at least startle. ?When the Public Health Nurse (in Ireland a nurse comes around to the house to check on the babies after they get home) comes sometime this week I'll ask her what she thinks but I thought I'd put it out there for you guys.

TIA.?

KellyMichelle

They didn't screen his hearing in the NICU?   I really wouldn't be concerned about him not waking up to the alarm.  Kids just tune those noises out, especially since he was so used to all that in the NICU.  We visited a fire station once and the fire fighter told us that most kids sleep through the fire alarm - even older kids. 

With that said - I think it is good for every baby to have their hearing screened.

LizzieandGar

This is going to sound awful but I have no idea if they screened his hearing. ?I didn't even think about it until we got home. Maybe I should call and ask? If not, I'll ask my GP about it (we don't have specific peds here) and see what she says and where she might?refer?us to. ?It'd be good to get it checked out, even if everything is fine and it's not a concern.

?

FutureMrsDenman

My DD slept through fireworks and we were basically right next to ground zero where they were shooting them off.  I was perpetually cringing as they went off they were so loud and I was upset that that is where we ended up viewing them and she didn't care in the least.  It is amazing what they will just ignore.

LizzieandGar

Ha! ?Thanks for that reassurance! THAT made me feel better!

preemieparent

Some babies do sleep through very loud noises.   My son once had a balloon pop right next to him and he didn't even flinch.

Did they give you any discharge paperwork?   In the US they provide a brochure that says your baby passed the hearing test.  I don't know if it's mandatory in Ireland.   Anyway, check all the paperwork and see if they noted anything about it.

MaybeABaby?

We had a hearing screening in the hospital (ds failed the first one, passed the second) and our LOUD dogs can bark and he doesn't flinch. I wouldn't worry too much about it but I would call to see if they screened his hearing in the hospital.