Which of the following infections would warrant an objective hearing test in newborns?

Meningitis is known to have serious implications for a newborn’s health, including potential neurological complications, one of which is hearing loss. When an infant is diagnosed with meningitis, especially bacterial meningitis, there is a risk of damage to the auditory nerve and structures involved in hearing due to inflammation or infection. Therefore, following a confirmed diagnosis of meningitis, an objective hearing test is warranted to assess for any auditory impairment that may have resulted from the infection.

While other infections such as herpes simplex virus and varicella (chickenpox) can also have significant effects on a newborn's health, they are not commonly associated with auditory deficits in the same manner as meningitis. Specifically, the sequelae of meningitis, including its impact on hearing, is well-documented in pediatric literature, making the need for hearing assessment a clinical priority after such an infection.