A cochlear implant may be considered with this degree of communication impact What is the difference between a hearing screening and a diagnostic hearing evaluation?
• The purpose of the hearing screening is to quickly test one part of the auditory system to find out whether it is working appropriately. The section called “How are babies screened?” describes the testing that is done. OAE tests the cochlea to see if it is working and the ABR tests the neural system to see if it is working. Diagnostic hearing testing uses the same methods of testing but checks at more frequencies and levels. Screening takes less than 10 minutes, and diagnostic testing takes two to three hours, and all parts of the hearing system are assessed. Testing is done while the baby is asleep. It may take more than one appointment to get all of the testing done. Your audiologist can explain all the tests, why they are being done, and what was found.
