It is estimated that one in every 1,000 children is born deaf. Many more are born with lesser degrees of hearing loss. Still, others develop hearing problems during childhood. The effects of early deafness are quite severe. Early identification of hearing impairment is one of the most important factors in the successful habilitation of the hearing-impaired child. It is extremely important to detect permanent sensorineural loss as early as possible. Specialists postulate that 80 percent of a child's ability to acquire speech, language, and other cognitive skills are determined by the age of three. Hearing impairment in children affects not only speech and language development, but also cognitive, emotional and social development. Language is learned primarily through auditory channels. If hearing aids are of no benefit, a cochlear implant is the only alternative source of auditory input available.

Infant screening programs frequently utilize the NIH high-risk register, a document listing criteria that identifies infants "at risk" for hearing impairment. The screening evaluation usually consists of an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) and/or Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test. These evaluations may be performed while an infant is sleeping, allowing for audiological evaluation without the participation of the child. Unfortunately, there are infants who may have hearing loss and remain unidentified or do not show any risk factors at birth. Thus, it is important for parents, physicians and other health-care providers to be aware of the risk factors associated with hearing loss, possess knowledge of normal language and hearing development and seek medical and/or audiological consultation once hearing loss is suspect. There is effort underway to have all infants screened for hearing loss before they leave the hospital.