Initials:  JK

Age: 7 weeks

Gender: Male

This baby had an unremarkable birth and medical history, and his mother does not suspect hearing loss because the baby startles to loud sounds.  He has failed repeated ABR-based neonatal hearing screenings in the right ear.

• What forms/severity of hearing loss are ruled out by the normal startle response, and which could still be present?

Case credits: thanks to Pediatrix / Inova Fairfax