Hearing screening tests for babies needing special care
What is newborn hearing screening?
All babies are offered health checks in the first few weeks of their life. One of these checks is a hearing screening test. This is a quick and simple test and will not harm your baby. Some babies need another test in a hospital clinic. You can choose whether or not your baby has hearing screening.
If your baby is born very early, the hearing screening test may not be done straight away. The health professional looking after your baby will let you know when this will be done.
Why should my baby have a hearing screening test?
Out of 1,000 babies born, 1 or 2 will have a hearing loss. Most of these babies will be born into families where no one else has a hearing loss. A baby who needs special care may be more likely to have a hearing loss.
It is not easy for parents to tell if a young baby has a hearing loss. Finding out early is important for your baby’s development. This means you can get more support and information to help you and your baby.
Screening does not find all hearing loss or prevent future hearing difficulties.
About the test
We try to offer you the test for your baby before they go home from hospital. If not, it can be done in the community, usually in a clinic.
A screener will carry out the test while your baby is settled or asleep. It will not hurt or harm your baby and only takes a few minutes. You can stay with your baby while the test is done.
The screener will put small sticky pads on your baby’s head and neck. Small headphones are put over your baby’s ears. These headphones will make a clicking sound. The equipment shows the screener how your baby’s ears are responding to the sound.
Results
The screener will tell you the result of the test straight away and explain if another test is needed.
Clear response
If both of your baby’s ears show a clear response, your baby is unlikely to have a hearing loss. The screener will give you information on how babies respond to sound as they grow. They will tell you what to do if you are ever worried about your baby’s hearing.
If neither or only one of your baby’s ears shows a clear response
This does not always mean your baby has a hearing loss.
Clear responses may not be seen if:
- your baby is unsettled;
- there is fluid in the ear (from the birth); or
- there is too much noise near the baby when the test is done; or
- your baby has a hearing loss.
The screener will offer your baby another hearing test with an audiologist (hearing specialist). These tests need to be done when your baby is still likely to sleep a lot during the day. The screener will give you more information about what happens next.
Further tests
Out of 100 babies born, 1 or 2 will need more tests.
If more tests are needed, the audiologist will send an appointment. They will send this within eight weeks from when you had your baby’s hearing screening result.
This allows time for your baby’s hearing to develop.
Waiting for another hearing test can be worrying. If you have any questions, you can contact newborn hearing screening or speak to your special-care nurse.