Skip to main content

What do the results mean?

Well Babies

If there is a clear response from one or both of your baby’s ears it is unlikely that your baby has a hearing loss that will affect speech and language development. No further hearing screening tests are needed. The screener will give you information on how babies respond to sound as they grow and what to do if you have any worries about your baby’s hearing.

If neither of your baby’s ears shows a clear response, it does not necessarily mean your baby has a hearing loss. Clear responses may also not be seen if:

  • the baby is unsettled;

  • there is fluid in the ear after birth;

  • there is too much noise near the baby when the test is done.

If your baby does not have a clear response in either ear, a further hearing test will be offered either by the screener, or with an audiologist (hearing specialist). If your baby needs a test with the audiologist, the screener will give you a leaflet to explain this.  The webpage "At the Audiology Clinic" also gives you more information.

If only one of your baby’s ears shows a clear response, you may choose to have another hearing test.  Your choices are explained below.

A clear response in one ear

About a fifth (20%) of all well babies screened has a clear response in only one ear. Only a very small number of babies are born with a permanent hearing loss in one ear, so it is likely that your baby hears well with both ears. A clear response may also not be seen if the baby is unsettled, if there is fluid in the ear after birth or if there is too much noise near the baby when the test is done.

We will write to your GP and Health Visitor to say that your baby had a clear response on newborn hearing screening and that no further tests are needed. However, you do have the following choices:

  • You may choose to have another hearing screening test within the next few weeks. This test will be  done in a special hospital clinic.
  • You may choose to wait and have a hearing test when your baby is nine months old. This test will be done in a local or hospital clinic.

If you choose to have another hearing test, phone the number below within a week of the screening test to make arrangements:

North Wales                 01978 727005

South West Wales       03000 848710

South East Wales        02921 843568

 

 

 
Babies who have needed special care for more than two days

If there is a clear response from both of your baby's ears it is unlikely that your baby has a hearing loss  that will affect speech and language development. No further hearing screening tests are needed.  The  screener will give you information on how babies respond to sound as they grow and what to do if you have any worries about your baby's hearing.

If neither of your baby's ears shows a clear response,   it does not necessarily mean your baby has a hearing loss.  Clear responses may also not be seen if:

  • the baby is unsettled;
  • there is fluid in the ear after birth;
  • there is too much noise near the baby when the test is done.

 

If your baby does not have a clear response in either one or both ears, a further hearing test will be offered with an audiologist (hearing specialist) and this will be arranged by the screening programme.  The screener will give you a leaflet explaining this.