Your baby's new-born hearing screening

Why screen your baby’s hearing?

What does the screening test involve?

‘Pass’ result from the hearing screening test

‘Refer’ result from the hearing screening test

What else happens to the results?

In most parts of Australia, your baby is able to have a test to check that your baby can hear the sounds that are needed for speech and language development.

Why screen your baby's hearing?

A small number of babies are born with a hearing impairment (the baby is unable to hear sounds normally). A special screening test can pick this up soon after birth.

Early awareness of a hearing impairment is vital, because it will affect a child's speech and language development. Also parents can be given support and information sooner.

Even if no-one in your family has a hearing impairment your baby still needs to have a test.

• About one baby in every 1,000 is born with a hearing impairment, and for most of them there is no family history of hearing impairment. 

What does the screening test involve?

When will the screening be done?

The screening test will be done within a few days of birth, either before you leave the hospital or by the community midwife soon after you leave hospital.

Is the screening test painful?

No, it is not at all painful. It is usually done while your baby is asleep, and most babies sleep through it. It only takes a minute or two and you can stay with your baby while it is being done.

What happens?

• The test will be done in a quiet place and your baby needs to be settled and quiet
• The midwife will place a small soft tipped ear-piece in the outer part of your baby's ear.
• The machine sends a clicking sound down the ear and can show how your baby's ears respond to sound.
• This test is called an OAE test (otoacoustic emissions test).

There is also another test your baby may have.

• With this test three small sensors will be placed on your baby's head.
• Small headphone cups are put over your baby's ears and a series of clicking sounds are played.
• A computer measures how well your baby responds to sound.
• This is called an AABR test (Automated Auditory Brainstem Response).

The results of the test

You will be given the results of the test immediately and they will be discussed with you.

'Pass' result from the hearing screening test

• This means that your baby almost certainly has good hearing at the time of the test.
• However, it is possible for a child to develop hearing loss later because of a middle ear infection, inherited conditions, or some other infections and illnesses.

If you are ever concerned about your child's hearing, go and see your doctor or community child health nurse.

It is recommended that you take your baby for the child health checks listed in your baby's Personal Health Record.

This is a good time to think about your child's hearing, speech and language, and to discuss any concerns with your community child health nurse.

'Refer' result from the hearing screening test

This happens often (up to 13% of babies tested need a second screening test) and does not necessarily mean your baby has a hearing impairment.

In most cases this happens because

• Your baby's ears were still too moist to respond to this simple test. It can take a few days for this moisture to dry.
• There was some other matter which entered the ear canal during birth. This is very common and it will clear with time.
  

It is important to have your baby's hearing screening repeated in the next week or so to make sure your baby does not have a hearing impairment.

The midwife who does the first test will tell you where this can be done.

What else happens to the results?

All personal health information is treated with strict confidentiality.