Medical Group recognized for newborn hearing procedures

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Barely 24 hours after she was born, during one of her many naps, Sarah Thompson had a tiny green ear bud placed in her ear. The bud wasn't connected to an MP3 player piping in Baby Mozart or even Black Eyed Peas, but to a device called an EroScan which measures hearing sensitivity.

Measuring otoacoustic emissions, which are sounds produced by the outer hair cells within the inner ear, is a common practice for babies born on base and a state-mandated procedure in Florida. The reason for this practice is to catch as early as possible what's become the most common disability found in newborns in America - loss of hearing.

"Early discovery of hearing loss and remedial treatment gives the newborns the opportunity for hearing to help develop speech and language," said Capt. Catherine Wynn, 96th Medical Group's resident audiologist. "When early identification and proper intervention occurs, hearing impaired children make dramatic progress developing speech and language and are more successful in mainstream classrooms."

The law, which went into effect in 2000, requires all newborns to be screened prior to hospital discharge or within 30 days after. The state tracks the screenings, referrals and follow ups and continued care.  The 96th Medical Group was recently recognized with an excellence award by Florida for its processes. This was the first time the state presented the award.

During testing, the Eroscan instrument presents sound to the ear. The ear returns a sound of its own, which is the noise the machine is looking for, according to Captain Wynn. The results of the test are immediate.

The returned sound is the OAE, according Captain Wynn. Abnormalities will be picked up by the Eroscan which cause a "referral" test result.

Abnormalities like debris in the ear canal, fluid of the middle ear, a malformed middle ear or a malformed cochlea can cause a referral and require further testing by an audiologist.

"The test is very sensitive," said the captain. "Even a baby's breathing can affect the test."

The next referral is for a diagnostic OAE test where more frequencies and intensities tested. If the newborn refers a second time then an Auditory Brainstem Response test is performed. The next step in the process will be a decision by the physician and parents to seek help/treatment from a civilian specialist.

"We've only had two infants diagnosed with hearing loss in the two and a half years I've been here at Eglin," said Captain Wynn.

The hospital delivered 895 children in 2009 and 788 in 2010.  The initial screening of the newborns is part of the labor and delivery department's protocol and an item on the patient's discharge checklist according to the 96th Inpatient Squadron.

The 96th MDG commander believes this procedure is just one of many processes happening daily at the hospital to ensure Team Eglin is taken care of.

"I'm extremely proud of those who helped facilitate this important procedure helping us earn this award," said Col. Gary Walker. "This award shows how committed we are at the 96th Medical Group to provide the best, most comprehensive care we can to our patients."