You might be aware that a blood sample is taken soon after your infant is born to test for dozens of genetic and metabolic disorders. But did you realize that super quick (and painless) newborn hearing tests are also administered right around the same time?
While the vast majority of babies are born with perfectly fine hearing, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that a newborn hearing screening be part of the battery of tests that infants receive, ideally before they leave the hospital.
Here’s more about why a newborn hearing test is universally given, how it’s performed, and, if hearing difficulty or loss is detected, the available treatments for your baby.
Newborn hearing screenings are recommended for every baby and are usually done before you leave the hospital — they’re quick, painless, and take just a few minutes. Catching hearing loss early is critical since babies start learning language right away; follow-up testing is important if your little one doesn’t pass the first screen. Treatment and support are available if hearing loss is detected, including hearing devices and early intervention programs that help babies develop age-appropriate language and communication skills.
What is the purpose of a newborn hearing screening?
The newborn hearing screening is designed to detect hearing abnormalities right after birth, since hearing loss is a common congenital condition among infants. In fact, roughly 2 or 3 out of every 1,000 babies in the U.S. is born deaf or hard of hearing, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
It’s vital that this test be done as soon as possible since babies start learning spoken language from the get-go (long before they utter that first word). And hearing loss can also impact future literacy skills and social development.
It’s especially important to follow up on a “failed test” (as some infants don't pass that first screening) so you can address her auditory issue quickly.
When should a newborn hearing screening be done?
Wondering when a screening for hearing should be done? This procedure should ideally occur at some point before your baby is discharged from the hospital and it takes all of five to 10 minutes to complete (the AAP’s goal is to have every infant tested by 1 month of age).
A newborn hearing screening is flexible in nature, as it can take place in the delivery room, recovery suite, or later on in the nursery.
The infant hearing screening is standard in the majority of U.S. states and some territories — and in states where the test isn’t mandatory, it’s either offered or you can request it. Find out more about your state’s screenings by visiting Baby’s First Test. If your baby’s hearing is screened, make sure you know the results before you head home.
If you aren’t sure if your baby’s hearing was screened or if you don’t know the results, talk to your doctor. You’ll want to act right away if your little one doesn't pass the hearing screening, so it’s important to know the results before leaving the hospital or birthing center.
In terms of insurance coverage, 18 states require insurers to pay for the screening and at least four states have laws that note who will pay for the hearing test if insurance won’t cover it or the parents can’t afford it, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures.
How is a newborn hearing screening done?
The accuracy of newborn hearing screenings is well-established, and they may be given in two different ways. The following tests are fast and gentle, and can be done while your infant is asleep or resting quietly.
Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE). This type of screening uses a tiny probe that’s inserted just at the entrance to your baby’s ear canal and emits a series of sounds. The screening checks for echoes in your baby’s ears in response to the clicks or tones that are played. Babies whose ears do not have an echo could have hearing loss.
Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) or Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR). During this type of screening, your newborn wears tiny earphones that play sounds and, along with three electrodes placed on her scalp, they’ll measure brain activity as she listens. A lack of brain activity could indicate a hearing problem.
What do the results of a newborn hearing screening mean?
The newborn hearing screening will tell you if your baby’s hearing is normal or if she needs an additional test.
If your baby failed the screening, she will need a follow-up appointment. Keep in mind that a newborn who hasn't passed the initial hearing screening may not necessarily have hearing loss. It's possible that she didn’t pass because of fluid or wax build-up in her ears from birth. Or maybe the screening wasn’t able to be conducted properly, perhaps due to a noisy environment or because baby wasn’t resting quietly.
The only way to know for certain is to schedule a follow-up screening or diagnostic test.
When a child fails the screening, specialists recommend you have the follow-up diagnostic test within the first three months of baby’s life; however, sooner is better.
If your baby passed the screening, her hearing is normal. However, if you have any concerns that she isn’t hearing you, make sure you bring them up with your pediatrician or primary care provider. It’s possible to develop hearing loss later on in childhood.
Some infants may develop hearing problems when they’re older due to genetics, frequent ear infections, or other illnesses like congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), measles, or meningitis.
What happens during the follow-up appointment?
Typically the follow-up test is done by a pediatric audiologist. The audiologist will conduct diagnostic tests for your baby’s hearing and will let you know if your baby has hearing loss in one or both ears. They’ll also help you navigate your next steps.
The early months are a critical window for learning how to talk. If your baby does have hearing loss, you’ll want to take action right away to support her listening and spoken language development.
How do you treat hearing loss in babies?
You’ll work with a professional team that includes your pediatrician, a pediatric audiologist, and an early intervention provider, as well as a specialist such as a pediatric otolaryngologist.
This team can help you determine a plan of action based on the goals you have for your child. If you want your child to listen and talk, they’ll help you figure out what hearing devices are best suited for your baby based on the type and degree of her hearing loss.
Your baby can develop age-appropriate listening, talking, reading, and other skills with early identification, the right hearing technology, and early intervention focused on Listening and Spoken Language (LSL).
Want to stay on top of every important check and milestone? The What to Expect app can help you track your baby’s screenings, growth, and development — and get expert advice at every stage.
The newborn hearing screening is a vital tool that can pinpoint a baby’s hearing loss quickly and efficiently. The AAP also recommends that kids be screened at various other ages throughout childhood — and anytime you suspect your little one doesn’t hear well. Don’t skip these simple hearing screenings, since early action is the best defense for hearing loss in your child.
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