AboutHarriet B Jacobster, Au.D. Expertise I am a Board Certified Doctor of Audiology with 25 years of experience. I can answer questions regarding hearing loss, both general and specific, dizziness and vertigo,and specialized audiologic testing, i.e., Auditory Brainstem Response, VideoNystagmography, Otoacoutic Emissions. I have worked with both pediatric and adult populations. Additionally, because of my extensive musical background, I am able to respond to questions regarding the special needs of musicians.
Experience I have been an audiologist for over 25 years with a speciality in electrophysiological evaluation of the auditory and vestibular systems. My Doctoral research was on specialized techniques in Auditory Brainstem Responses.
Organizations American Academy of Audiology
American Speech Language Hearing Association
Education/Credentials Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology), Nova Southeastern University, 2000.
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology (American Board of Audiology)
Question QUESTION: Hi
My 6 month old baby is having atresia in her right ear.When audiology tests like BERA was done to her my audiologist said her left ear is having which is less compared to her right ear.So there is hearing loss on both sides.
She said that on her left ear she cant hear sounds less than 50 decibels on low pitch.She gave an example like the sound of leaves rustling.Is it true that a baby 0f 6 month old can hear to that sound.Can you please explain.
Her MRI scan of cochlea and brain shows normal on both ears
ANSWER: Hi Ramya,
I can understand your concern about your baby. The good news is that the MRI is normal. I must ask you this, when the BERA test was done, did the audiologist do bone conduction testing to measure your baby's inner ear? Next, if I understand you correctly, your baby had a hearing loss in the low pitches? Depending on how the test was done, this can be due to a lot of reasons. Children with canal atresia often have middle ear problems as well and this could cause a loss. As for hearing leaves rustling, a 6 month old with normal ears can just barely begin to hear that sound. However, because your baby has the atresia, it has been much harder for sounds to get to the nerves in your baby's ear and they may not have developed yet to "hear." Six months is a critical age. Your audiologist should recommend a Bone Conduction type hearing aid to help your baby's hearing and language develop normally. Also, when your baby is old enough, it may be possible to have surgery to correct the ear.
I hope this helps.
Good luck
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks for your reply.
We are going to fix her right ear at the age of 5 by plastic surgery.
Do we need to use hearing aid for left ear permanently?Is there anyother solution for that.I am much worried about it
Answer Ramya,
You do not need to worry. It is a good thing that the hearing loss was discovered and now can be treated and monitored. It is very possible that your baby may not need the hearing aid permanently but just until she gets older and her hearing may develop more normally. But, even if she does need the hearing aid permanently, she will have the benefit of developing speech and language hopefully as near normal as possible. You must be sure to have her hearing tested every 6 months at least until she is about 5 years old. Then at least once a year. It is very lucky that we have the ability to find hearing losses in babies this young so that we can begin treatment early. Your audiologist can train you on how to make the most of your baby's hearing so that she can develop normally.
Good luck.
Harriet B. Jacobster, AuD
Board Certified Doctor of Audiology
