Hearing Screening

Why do newborns need hearing screening?

Although most babies can hear normally, 2 to 3 of every 1,000 babies are born with some degree of hearing loss. Without newborn hearing screening, it can be difficult to detect hearing loss in the important first months and years of your baby's life. About half of the children with hearing loss have no risk factors for it.

Newborn hearing screening can detect possible hearing loss in the first days of a baby's life. If a possible hearing loss is found, further tests will be done to confirm the results. If a hearing loss is confirmed, treatment and early intervention can start promptly. Early intervention helps babies with hearing loss and their families learn important communication skills.

That is why the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies receive newborn hearing screening before they go home from the hospital.

Importance of good hearing

Babies learn from the time they are born. One of the ways they learn is through hearing. If they have problems with hearing and do not receive the right treatment and early intervention services, babies will have trouble with language development. For some babies early intervention services may include the use of sign language and/or hearing aids. Studies show that children with hearing loss who receive appropriate early intervention services by age 6 months usually develop good language and learning skills.

Screening tests

There are 2 screening tests that may be used.

Both tests are quick (about 5 to 10 minutes), painless, and may be done while your baby is sleeping or lying still. Either or both tests may be used.

If hearing loss is found

This depends on the type of hearing loss that your baby has. Every baby with hearing loss should be seen by a hearing specialist (audiologist) experienced in testing babies and a pediatric ear/nose/throat doctor (otolaryngologist).

Special hearing tests can be performed by the audiologist who, together with the otolaryngologist, can tell you the degree of hearing loss and what can be done to help.

If the hearing loss is permanent, hearing aids and speech and language services may be recommended for your baby. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that free early intervention programs be offered to children with hearing loss, beginning at the time the child's hearing loss is identified.

The outlook is good for children with hearing loss who begin an early intervention program before the age of 6 months. Research shows these children usually develop language skills on par with those of their peers.

Timing is everything

Some parents think they would be able to tell if their baby could not hear. This is not always the case. Babies may respond to noise by startling or turning their heads toward the sound. This does not mean they have normal hearing. Most babies with hearing loss can hear some sounds but still not hear enough to develop full speaking ability.

Your baby will have the best chance for normal language development if any hearing loss is discovered and treated by the age of 6 months—and the earlier, the better.