A high index of suspicion and proper history is important, especially amongst children born prematurely, those born with low birth-weight, those born after difficult delivery, those who develop yellowness of eye (neonatal jaundice), those whose mothers had febrile illness during pregnancy, and those treated for meningitis. Do not ignore a parent’s complaint of a child not hearing or a child who is slow to develop speech. Use changing voice intensity to asses grossly the state of hearing. If hearing loss is suspected, refer at whatever age to a higher level for appropriate management. A child who does not hear can be helped at any age, but the earlier the better.
Refer to an institution specializing in dealing with hearing impairment with facilities for audiometry, tympanometry, and rehabilitation.