Universal Hearing Screening.

• All parents will be offered a hearing screening for their newborns before discharge from the Thunder Bay Regional Hospital. Screening can usually be done at the bedside.

• Babies in the Well Baby Nursery are screened using Automated Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) equipment. A small probe is placed in the quiet or sleeping baby’s ear. The probe emits quiet tones and the response from the inner ear is recorded. DPOAE is a safe, non-invasive, and automatic procedure that provides accurate information in minutes.

• A pass result indicates that the inner ear is functioning and allowing the child to hear normally.

• A refer result indicates that a response from the inner ear could not be detected and further screening with other technology is required. The most common reason for a refer result is fluid or debris in the infant’s ear. Most infants will have normal hearing, but fluid in the ear may prevent a DPOAE response.

• Babies with a refer result will be re-screened using Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) technology. This screening will usually take place before discharge, or may be arranged at the Health Unit.

• Babies who meet certain risk criteria, such as low birthweight or infections at birth may be admitted to a special care nursery and will be screened using the AABR.

• With Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening sounds are generated from a small probe placed in the baby’s ear. Electrodes placed on the baby’s forehead and behind the ears monitor the brain’s response to the sounds. A pass result indicates that the baby’s hearing is normal. A refer result indicates that further screening and assessment is needed. Usually a refer result is due to fluid or debris in the ear canal. Further assessment will be arranged at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit

Hearing Screening in the District Communities

• Hearing screening for babies born in communities serviced by a Thunder Bay District Health Unit Public Health Nurse will be performed by the Health Nurse either before discharge from hospital or in the family’s home.

• Any further screening or assessment needed will be arranged at audiology clinics offered by the Health Unit in Marathon, Geraldton or Thunder Bay.

Audiology Services:

• Any infant needed a full hearing assessment will be seen by the IHP audiologist through the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.

• The Infant Hearing Program audiologist has received advanced training in the latest methods, techniques and equipment to assess the hearing of infants.

• A full assessment will occur as early as possible, and may involve more than one visit. Families will be contacted by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit for scheduling of appointments.

• Infants who are identified with a permanent hearing loss will be referred to their physician and to a specialist for consultation and evaluation.

• Should a family choose the use of hearing aids or other assistive devices for their baby, the Infant Hearing Program audiologist will provide a prescription for amplification. The audiologist has received special training in the prescription and verification of amplification devices for infants.

Communication Development:

• The Infant Hearing Program will provide support services to parents as they adjust to the knowledge that their child is deaf or hard of hearing and will assist them in obtaining information of all the communication development services available to them through the Infant Hearing Program and in the community.

• Babies and their families will receive services to support the development of language and communication skills. These services will be provided in conjunction with the local Preschool Speech and Language Program.

• Communication development services chosen by parents will be provided as close to home as possible and will link closely with services provided by local school boards, community services and the Ministry of Education Provincial Programs for the Deaf.