Parental request to withhold a hearing test in a newborn of deaf parents.

CASE When the pediatrician went to examine Jenny at 1 day of age in the hospital, she was not surprised to find a healthy, full-term neonate with a normal physical examination, including a normal developmental assessment. She was responsive and robust with wide open eyes that engaged her mother and the pediatrician. A review of the medical records revealed that both parents were significantly hearing-impaired. Jenny’s mother had a familial form of congenital neurosensory deafness. Both maternal grandparents had the same condition. Her mother learned to sign at an early age and completed a college degree. Jenny’s father acquired his deaf condition at 6 years of age after an episode of viral encephalitis. He communicated through sign language and was a successful administrator. When the pediatrician suggested a hearing test (brainstem auditory evoked potential), Jenny’s mother, who was able to use spoken language as well as sign language, responded with a soft smile. “I don’t think that will be necessary. We will know if she can hear in a short time.”