Hearing Screenings
Hearing screenings are a very important part of a newborn baby’s life! A hearing screening helps check a baby’s ears to identify any hearing differences that may be present. Hearing differences usually are not noticeable to parents and caregivers until after developmental delays have already occurred, but a hearing screening test can help identify a hearing difficulty early. Identifying a hearing difference early helps make sure families and caregivers are connected to resources that keep your child’s development on track. Hearing screenings are quick, painless, and only take a few minutes.
Watch this video to learn more about what to expect.
A newborn hearing screening is a test done shortly after birth to check a baby’s hearing.
The test is quick, safe, painless, and helps identify whether more testing is needed. It is completed by a trained technician and typically occurs while the baby is sleeping. It usually only takes a few minutes and should be done before one month of age.
Hearing screenings should be completed as soon as possible within a baby’s first month of life to help identify a hearing difference early and to ensure the baby is calm and quiet while completing the test, which is easier when the baby is younger. By detecting a hearing difference as early as possible, families and caregivers can get connected to tools and resources that help their baby learn language and communication skills to develop on track. After birth, babies begin learning language right away, so it is important to get tested early since many hearing differences are not noticeable until after a developmental delay has occurred.
Most hospitals and birthing facilities in Oregon provide hearing screenings after birth and before discharge. If a baby was born at home in the presence of a midwife or trained birth attendant, they may have screening equipment to test a child’s hearing. Additionally, some pediatrician offices may have screening equipment. If your baby does not receive a hearing screening, parents and caregivers can find a facility that provides one here and/or reach out to your baby’s medical team (doctor, nurse, midwife, etc.) to ask about scheduling one.
There are two ways hearing can be screened in babies: otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and automated auditory brainstem response (AABR).
- Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs): A small earbud is placed in the baby's ear and sound is played through the earbud. The earbud then measures the response coming from the inner ear, like an echo.
- Auditory brainstem response (AABR): Small sensors are placed on the child’s head and small headphones are placed over the child’s ears. While sound is played through the headphones, the sensors measure the response coming from the ear and auditory brainstem.
Both methods are painless and typically occur while a baby is sleeping. Depending on the screening equipment available to a screener, either test can be used to test a baby’s hearing.
Hearing Screening Results
The hearing screening will only take a few minutes to complete, and results will be available as soon as the test is finished. For both types of screening equipment, a computer measures the results and records it as a PASS or REFER/DID NOT PASS. PASS means that your baby does not need more testing at this time, but you should monitor your baby’s development since hearing can change with time. REFER/DID NOT PASS means your baby needs more testing.
- A PASS result means that the screening test did not detect a hearing loss at this time. However, hearing can change with time. If parents and caregivers have concerns about their child’s hearing or notice delays in their development, hearing should be checked again.
- If a baby passes their hearing screen test but has risk factors for developing hearing loss, it’s important to monitor the child’s hearing and development closely.
- You can monitor your baby’s development using these milestones: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/
- A REFER/DID NOT PASS result means that a baby needs more testing to know their hearing status.
- Screeners may say a baby “referred,” “failed,” or “did not pass” on the screening test which all mean that the baby needs additional testing.
- A baby may pass in one ear and not the other, which is considered a REFER/DID NOT PASS result and means that the child needs additional testing.
- Babies need to receive a pass result in both ears at the same session.
- It is very important to schedule a follow-up test within three months of age.
- Visit our Hearing Screening and Diagnostic Audiology Facilities page to find a clinic near you and schedule an appointment for a hearing rescreen or a diagnostic audiology appointment with a pediatric audiologist.
- Your baby should only receive one rescreening before being seen by an audiologist to avoid delays in receiving resources.
- You should receive your baby’s results shortly after testing from the screener or birth facility that did the screening.
- If you don’t hear from them, please contact the OHA Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program at Oregon.EHDI@odhsoha.oregon.gov or call 888-971-4327 and ask about results.
If Your Baby Refers on or Did Not Pass Their Hearing Screening
If your baby has a REFER/DID NOT PASS result on their hearing screening test, they will need more testing. It’s important to take steps to schedule a follow up appointment.
Here are the next steps to take:
Step 1: Rescreen
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If your baby did not pass the hearing screening test shortly after birth, the same test should be repeated within the first month. This second test is called a hearing rescreen. The hospital or birth facility can help schedule the rescreen before you leave or you can find a hearing screening facility here.
Step 2: Diagnostic Test
- If your baby does not pass the hearing rescreen, they will need a follow up diagnostic test with a trained audiologist to complete more testing to determine a baby’s hearing status.
- This should be done within three months of age, the earlier the better.
Additional Information
- It is important to make an appointment for a full hearing diagnostic test and any additional needed medical tests by three months of age to make sure your baby is developing on track.
- Additionally, testing before three months of age is easier because your baby will need to be asleep for additional tests and this can be difficult after three months.
- Some causes of hearing loss may be related to other medical concerns, and you should follow up with your child’s medical team if you have any questions.
- For babies that have risk factors for developing hearing loss at a later time, it's important to have your baby’s hearing tested by a pediatric audiologist at 8 months of age to monitor any ongoing changes.
- Monitor your baby’s development using these milestones and reach out to your child’s medical team if you have concerns: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/