True or False? Screening newborn infants for hearing loss is a new practice for audiologists.

The assertion that screening newborn infants for hearing loss is a new practice for audiologists is not accurate. In fact, this practice has been established for several decades as a critical component of early intervention in audiology. Newborn hearing screening programs began gaining widespread acceptance in the late 20th century as research highlighted the importance of early detection and intervention for infants with hearing impairments. The goal of these screenings is to identify any hearing loss as early as possible, ideally by one month of age, to ensure appropriate follow-up and intervention occurs before six months of age.

This proactive approach is essential because early identification of hearing loss can significantly impact a child's language development, social skills, and overall quality of life. Audiologists use reliable, quick screening methods, such as automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) or otoacoustic emissions (OAE), to assess infants shortly after birth in various healthcare settings.

In summary, newborn hearing screenings are an established practice that has been around for many years, aimed at fostering better developmental outcomes for children with hearing loss.