Newborn Hearing Screening

bedebum13

Good morning everyone!  I haven't posted on this board in several months but I have a question.  Last night my husband and I got a letter from our state depart of health and mental hygiene informing us that although our daughter passed her newborn hearing screening a risk factor was noted and she should see an audiologist.  I was in the room when the hearing screening was done while she was in the NICU and the tech said she passed no problems and no follow-up was needed unless she presented problems as time passed. 

I have a call into them and my doctor but am wondering, did any of you ladies get anything similar?  Is this supposed risk factor that never came up her prematurity?  This letter really irritates me because it's basically a form letter with no information.  Also, if there was a risk factor that concerned them so much why are we just now getting a letter two weeks before her 6 month birthday??

Any thoughts?

jcsntms06

I got this same letter from the State of Maryland. I see that your a MD girl yourself. I called the State and they just wanted us to have a follow up hearing test done on DD at six months. I called our pedi and they gave me a list of audiologist in the area. I would highly recommend checking out your Counties Infants and Toddlers program. You can have DD tested for free. DD passed her second hearing test with flying colors. I think the State just sends these letters out to cover themselves. I'm not really sure.

bedebum13

So then it must be a preemie issue, they haven't called me back yet. No big surprise there though.  I'll check with my pedi and  county. 

 Thanks! 

Kate621

The state dept. of health generally does follow-up on children considered "at risk" for all sorts of things. They probably send that letter out to all preemies regardless of the results of the hearing screening because simply being a preemie puts them at risk.

bedebum13

Kate621:

The state dept. of health generally does follow-up on children considered "at risk" for all sorts of things. They probably send that letter out to all preemies regardless of the results of the hearing screening because simply being a preemie puts them at risk.

That was my initial thought as well.  Thanks.

arthist24

We were recently contacted by the audiology dept. at the hospital where DS's initial hearing test was done.  They said a follow up hearing test should be done one yr after the initial test b/c his NICU stay/prematurity put him at higher risk for hearing problems.