Your baby's hearing screening test

The text from the parent information booklet is reproduced on this page without any additional images to make it easier to view and/or print.

In the first few weeks of your babys life, you will be offered a routine health check for your baby - a hearing screening test. The test uses quick and simple methods to check the hearing of all newborn babies.

Why screen my babys hearing?

One to two babies in every 1,000 are born with a hearing loss in one or both ears. It is not easy to identify that a young baby has a hearing loss. This hearing screening test will allow those babies who do have a hearing loss to be identified early. Early identification is known to be important for the development of the child. It also means that support and information can be provided to parents at an early stage.

No one in my family has a hearing loss. Does my baby still need to have the hearing screening test?

Yes. It is important to screen all babies. Most babies born with a hearing loss are born into families with no history of hearing loss.

Will the hearing screening test be painful for my baby?

No. It does not hurt and is not uncomfortable. The screening test will usually be done while you baby is asleep or settled.

What does the hearing screening test involve?

A trained hearing screener or your health visitor carries out the hearing screening test. They place a small soft tipped earpiece in the outer part of your babys ear which sends clicking sounds down the ear. When an ear receives sound, the inner part, known as the cochlea, usually produces an echo. The screening equipment can pick up this response. This is called the Automated Otoacoustic Emission (AOAE) screening test. The AOAE screening test only takes a few minutes. You can stay with your baby while the screening test is done.

When will I get the results of the hearing screening test?

The results will be given to you at the time of the screening test. If you have any concerns or questions about your babys result contact the hospital where the screening test was done or, if your baby was screened at home, contact your health visitor.

Why does my baby need a second hearing screening test?

A lot of babies need to have a second hearing screening test because the first screen didnt show a clear response from both of the babys ears. This does not necessarily mean that your baby has hearing loss.

Some common reasons, other than hearing loss, for having a second screening test are:

Your baby may have been unsettled at the time of screening.
There may have been background noise when the screening test was carried out.
Your baby may have fluid or a temporary blockage in the ear after the birth. This is very common and will pass with time.

Where will the second screening test be done?

Your babys second screen will usually be done before you leave the hospital. In some areas it may be done in a local surgery or health clinic. If your babys first screening test was carried out at home, your health visitor will arrange a further appointment with you.

What does the second screening test involve?

The second screening test may be the same as the first screening test, the Automated Otoacoustic Emission (AOAE) screening test. Your baby may also have another type of screening test. This is known as the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening test. This involves three small sensors being places on your babys head and neck.

Soft headphones, specially made for babies, are placed over your babys ears and a series of clicking sounds are played. The hearing screening equipment tells us how well your babys ears respond to sound. The AOAE screening test takes a few minutes. The AABR screening test can take between 5 and 30 minutes. You can stay with your baby while the screening test is done. Neither of the screening tests will hurt or be uncomfortable for your baby. They will usually be carried out while your baby is asleep of settled.

What can I do to prepare my baby for the second screening test?

The screening test is easier to carry out if your baby is asleep. Dont worry if your baby will not settle. The Hearing Screener will understand that it is difficult to get a young baby to sleep. The following may help your baby settle during the screening test:

If possible, feed your baby shortly before the screening test.
Ensure you have the things you may need to make your baby comfortable and happy.

My baby seems to be responding to sound. Does my baby still need a second hearing screening test?

Most babies are found to have no hearing loss after the second screening test but it is still very important that your baby has the second screen. This is because babies who have hearing loss will usually react to some sounds. If your baby does have hearing loss it is important that you find out as soon as possible.

What do the results mean if the second hearing screening test shows a clear response from both of my babys ears?

This means that your baby is unlikely to have a hearing loss.

Remember that children can develop or acquire a hearing loss later on so it is important to check your childs hearing as they grow up.

You can use the two checklists of sounds that your baby should react to and the types of sounds that they should make as they grow older. These checklists are available on this website.

If you have any concerns about your childs hearing, discuss them with your health visitor or family doctor. Your childs hearing can be tested at any age.

What happens if the second screening test does not show a clear response from one or both of my babys ears?

If the second test does not how a clear response from one or both of your babys ears you will be referred to your local Audiology department. They will carry out special tests to measure your babys hearing. Again, this often happens and does not necessarily mean that your baby has hearing loss.

There may be a number of other reasons why the second screen could not record a clear response from one or both of your babys ears. Further tests by an audiologist will give you better information about your babys hearing.

You will be given a leaflet explaining what this involves.

What is the likelihood of my baby having a hearing loss if the second screening test does not record clear responses?

Most babies will record clear responses to sound at the second screening test and at the further tests carried out by an audiologist. However, there is a possibility that your baby may have hearing loss.

Nationally, about one in 25 babies whose second screening test does not record clear responses may have a hearing loss in one or both ears. Finding out that your baby has a hearing loss means that you and your baby will get advice and support right from the start.

Where can I get further information?

If you would like more information about your babys hearing screening test, you can contact the hospital that will carry out the test.

You can also find out more from your health visitor, midwife or local Audiology department.

This website also has lots more useful information for parents. Check the Questions and Answers page for other questions parents commonly ask or visit the Screening in my area page to contact your local hearing screening service directly.

Appendices: The Reaction to Sounds and Making Sounds checklists

These lists give pointers about what to look for as your baby grows to check if he/she can hear. Babies do differ in what they can do at any given age. The ages presented here are approximate only.

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