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Audiology
John was seen in the Pediatric Audiology Clinic at CHDD at 3 weeks corrected age for a comprehensive evaluation using the BAER, OAE and tympanometry tests. Testing determined that John had a severe sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. His parents were counseled regarding the impact of a significant hearing loss and recommendations for treatment, including hearing aids and early intervention.
Physical therapy
Due to his extreme prematurity, John was followed by the High Risk Infant Follow-up Clinic to monitor his development. A physical therapy evaluation at 4 months corrected age showed that John was developing appropriately in both his motor and mental skills.
Psychology
As part of the High Risk clinic, John had a developmental assessment at 12 and 24 months corrected age that showed that he was at age level for his cognitive skills.
Summary
John was diagnosed with a bilateral severe sensorineural hearing loss shortly after his discharge from the hospital. The etiology of his hearing loss is likely associated with his severe prematurity. Newborn hearing screening, early fitting of hearing aids, and enrollment in an early intervention program are all factors in John’s development.
Follow-up
Audiology
John returned in one month for fitting with binaural hearing aids and the audiologist assisted the family in evaluating the early intervention services available in their community. By 3 months of age, John and his family were enrolled in an early intervention program, receiving weekly home visits. When John graduated from the program at age 3, he was at age-level for his language skills.