Acoustic Emissions SFENTA | South Florida ENT Associates

Hearing Loss in newborns and young children

It is estimated that approximately one to three American babies in a thousand are born with permanent hearing loss. When this occurs, it is usually due to genetic factors or in response to a medical condition affecting the mother during pregnancy, such as diabetes or preeclampsia. In addition, babies born prematurely are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with hearing loss at birth. It is also possible for young children to lose their hearing later. Some experience permanent hearing loss after an illness, such as meningitis, measles, the chickenpox or the flu.

Others after a head injury, exposure to loud noises and certain medications. A severe and long-lasting ear infection can also lead to permanent hearing loss in children.

If your baby was not diagnosed with hearing loss at birth, you will likely notice something is wrong by their lack of response to sounds later on. Infants and young children who do not react to loud noises or voices should be evaluated for hearing loss.

What to expect

During the OAE Test

The OAE test is performed with a handheld unit and a small probe that is inserted into the child’s ear canal and delivers quiet sounds. If the hair cells located in the inner ear (the cochlea) are functioning normally, they will signal the brain and send otoacoustic emissions in response. Otoacoustic emissions are inaudible sounds that “echo” back to the outer ear, where they can be analyzed and recorded by the OAE handheld unit. In approximately 30 seconds, a test result of “pass” or “refer” will appear on the screen.

The OAE test is a terrific way to detect sensorineural hearing loss in the cochlea or hearing disorders in the inner ear pathway. It can be performed at home, the doctor’s office or school. The child can be playing or sleeping during the test because it does not require a response.

Contact Us Today

Once your child has been diagnosed with permanent hearing loss, treatment can begin. Contact SFENTA today for the OAE diagnostic procedure and get the help you need for your child’s hearing challenges.

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Important Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

South Florida ENT Associates (SFENTA) is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients, clinicians, and employees, particularly among the recent concern and outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. We are continuing to respond to the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Public Health from each state, which are closely monitoring the outbreak of the COVID-19.

In-office Guidelines & Preventive Measures

Across our network, SFENTA is implementing safety precautions to help limit the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the health of our patients, employees, and visitors. These preventive measures include:

Informational flyers for posting on the outside door, patient waiting room (Click here for ES) and for call center and front office employees – all these should be placed in highly visible areas. If a patient advises the staff that they have traveled outside the country to an affected area or have been in contact with someone known to have COVID-19, please follow protocol as mentioned in the call center and front office flyer.

Patients to be limited to bringing only one visitor with them into our offices.

Procedures will not be performed on patients known or suspected to have COVID-19.

SFENTA is also working with our referring providers to request they do not send patients known or suspected of having the COVID-19 virus to any of our offices.

Patient Guidelines Regarding the Coronavirus & Flu-like Symptoms

As a current patient, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms (i.e., cough, fever, shortness of breath, sore throat), please call your care center location and ask to speak to a staff member who can guide you with more information and treatment suggestions.

We ask that you DO NOT come into the office for any pre-scheduled appointments if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms.

In addition, if you are not experiencing flu-like symptoms, but have traveled outside of the country in the last 14 days, contact a member of our triage staff to determine whether you should come into one of our care centers.

It is our goal to keep all of our patients healthy , reduce the spread of infection, and to make sure you have accurate information. We will continue to keep this site updated as more information becomes available.

Guidelines for You and Your Family

There is still time to get a flu shot. This is strongly suggested, as the flu season is still here and the symptoms are very similar.

Make sure to wash your hands continuously for 20 seconds and keep hands away from your face; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home if you are sick!

Always cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your home using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Please note that the overall immediate health risk from the coronavirus is still considered low. People in areas where ongoing community spread of the virus has been reported are at elevated, though still relatively low, risk of exposure.

However, healthcare workers caring for patients with the COVID-19 and others in close contact with infected persons are at a greater risk of exposure. Travelers returning from affected international locations where community spread is occurring are also at elevated risk of exposure.

The CDC believes the virus may appear between 2-14 days after exposure. There is no vaccine and treatment is supportive. The virus is spread person to person mainly by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This is similar to other respiratory pathogens like influenza.

Together, South Florida ENT Associates will continue monitoring and preparing to meet the current challenge in order to ensure our staff and patients receive the same quality of care they deserve. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients, clinicians, and employees

Additional Information and Resources

The CDC believes the virus symptoms may appear between 2-14 days after exposure. There is no vaccine and treatment is supportive. The virus is spread person to person mainly by respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This is similar to other respiratory pathogens like influenza.