Leaflets and booklets

Pages in this section:

Your baby will be offered a hearing screening test in the first few weeks of life.

Your baby will be offered a hearing screening test in the first few weeks of life.  The 'hearing screening section' of the booklet ‘Screening tests for you and your baby' aims to explain why your baby needs to have a newborn hearing screening test and gives you tips on what you can do to prepare your baby for their hearing screening test.  The booklet also explains what happens to your baby during the hearing screening test, what the hearing screening test results may mean and why your baby may need a second hearing screening test. This leaflet is available in different languages in the 'Information in other languages' section of this website.

Additional information for parents 'Your Babies Hearing Screening Test - for babies who have received special or intensive care'

Even if your baby is given a clear response at the hearing screening test, it is still a good idea to monitor their hearing, as children can develop a hearing loss as they grow older. Useful checklists are given to help you do this: Sounds that your baby should react to Checklist: Reaction to sounds and the types of sounds your child should make as they grow older Checklist: Making Sounds

If the second screening test does not show a clear response from one or both of your baby’s ears you will be referred to your local audiology clinic for more specialist hearing tests and the leaflet ‘Your baby’s visit to the Audiology Clinic’ explains what will happen. The audiologist will explain each of your baby’s hearing tests to you and what the results may mean in detail. Most babies will record a clear response at the second hearing screening test and at further tests carried out by an audiologist. However, there is a possibility that your baby has a hearing loss. Finding out that your baby has a hearing loss early means that you and your baby will get advice and support right from the start. 

There are different types of hearing loss and your audiologist will explain these to you and they may give you a copy of the following leaflets.

Click on the title to access: 

• Your Baby has a Hearing Loss
• Your Baby has a Hearing Loss in One Ear
• Your Baby has a Mild Hearing Loss

Sometimes leaflets and booklets just can’t answer all of your questions. If you are referred for a second hearing screening test, your audiologist will be able to answer most questions about your child’s hearing during your appointments, so don’t be afraid to ask. If you would still like to speak to someone else for more information and support about your child’s hearing, you can call the National Deaf Children’s Society Free phone Helpline on 0808 800 8880 (10am to 5pm Mon-Fri) or send an e-mail or visit the website.