Screening Panel for Most Common Causes of Hearing Loss
Children rely heavily on their sense of hearing, especially during the first few years of life. They learn to talk and develop social, emotional, and academic skills by listening, so the earliest possible detection of hearing loss is to their benefit. When hearing loss is detected early in life, children stand a much better chance of reaching behavioral and academic milestones on time. Pediatrix® Medical Group's hearing screen program encourages screening every newborn for hearing loss before they are discharged from the hospital.
One of the most common congenital disabilities is hearing loss or deafness, which affects as many as three out of every 1,000 babies born. When a parent learns of their child's diagnosis of hearing loss, a common question is: "Why?"
To help answer the question, Pediatrix® Medical Group relies on SoundGene, a screening panel that identifies the most common causes of hearing loss. Approximately 50% of profound hearing loss cases are attributed to genetic causes and environmental factors. SoundGene is a quick and cost-effective alternative to other sometimes costly and time-consuming methods.
Determining the cause of hearing loss or identifying a child at risk helps direct medical management and care of a newborn or child. The most critical years of speech and language development are from birth to three years of age. Early detection of hearing loss will allow your physician to provide timely intervention and enable you to obtain the special attention your child will need for language, social, emotional and academic development.
Genetic consultation is needed for this testing. Please contact the Marshfield Clinic Genetics department at 715-221-7400 to obtain a SoundGene testing Kit.