Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) for infants
HASA is among the small number of regional resources using ABR for definitive diagnosis of hearing loss in infants. The ABR equipment at HASA does not require sedation.
Pediatric Services
The Hearing and Speech Agency provides a variety of services for testing and treating infants, children, and adolescents whose hearing loss prevents them from communicating effectively.
Signs and Symptoms of Hearing Loss in a Child
You should be concerned if your infant or child:
- Does not pass the newborn hearing screening or school screening
- Does not respond to sounds, like smiling when you speak to him/her,
- or is not startled at loud noise
- Is delayed in developing speech
- Does not pay attention to music
- Cannot hear you when you call from another room
- Wants you to turn up the television or DVD player
- Does not imitate speech sounds
A certified audiologist at HASA will conduct a painless, comprehensive hearing assessment and make recommendations if a problem is detected. If an undiagnosed medical condition is suspected, a referral will be made to the appropriate specialist. If a hearing aid is recommended, the audiologist will suggest a range of programs and services for the entire family.
Pediatric Audiology Services
HASA employs a full-time pediatric audiologist. Our highly qualified audiologists are especially talented at working with babies and children. Our state-of-the-art equipment includes sophisticated ABR (auditory brainstem response) equipment for performing very accurate hearing tests on babies and young children.
HASA Audiologists provide the following services for babies and children:
- Comprehensive hearing testing, including middle ear testing
- Hearing aid evaluation, selection and customization
- Advice and sale of accessories and batteries
- Repair and modifications
- Fitting of custom earmolds
- Fitting of custom hearing protection including musician’s plugs and swim plugs
- Personal FM systems
- Cerumen (earwax) removal prior to testing
Maryland Keys to Communication
This resource guide for parents and professionals was created at HASA to support families of infants newly diagnosed with hearing loss. In-depth print materials, confidential meetings, and a website to help them understand hearing loss and its impact on a child’s development. There is a nominal fee. For more information, visit www.mdkeystocommunication.org.
Parent Resource Center
The professional staff in HASA’s clinical program researches multi-media materials that reflect the most recent information for families dealing with a child’s hearing challenges. Included are print materials, DVDs, voice recorded software, and other resources. Although some of the information is produced by HASA, most materials are gathered by staff professionals because they meet high standards of accuracy and advice. Among them is literature from cochlear implant manufacturers and other vendors. The HASA staff does not make recommendations on particular products.
The Parent Resource Center is open to the public by appointment. Call Voice: 410.318.6780 or TTY: 410.318.6758 for details.
Hearing Aids
Because The Hearing and Speech Agency is a nonprofit organization, we offer hearing aids at very reasonable prices. Styles of hearing aids include behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), and in-the-canal (CIC). The latest technology in hearing aids, programmable and digital, are also available at The Hearing and Speech Agency.
HASA’s audiologists are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and are licensed by the Maryland State Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers and Speech-Language Pathologists.