Screening
Newborn Hearing Screening
Newborn hearing screening checks a baby’s hearing soon after birth using quick, painless tests, so that any hearing loss is found early.
Quick answer
Newborn Hearing Screening: what it is and what the results mean
Newborn hearing screening uses gentle, automated tests — usually the automated otoacoustic emission (AOAE) test and sometimes the automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) test — to check how a baby’s ears and hearing pathways respond to sound.
- Why it is done: It is done to identify hearing loss early, ideally in the first weeks of life, so that support and treatment can begin promptly, which is important for a child’s speech, language and development.
- Understanding results: A clear response suggests hearing is working well.
What it is
Newborn hearing screening uses gentle, automated tests — usually the automated otoacoustic emission (AOAE) test and sometimes the automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) test — to check how a baby’s ears and hearing pathways respond to sound.
Why it is done
It is done to identify hearing loss early, ideally in the first weeks of life, so that support and treatment can begin promptly, which is important for a child’s speech, language and development.
What to expect
A small soft earpiece plays quiet sounds and measures the ear’s response, or small sensors detect the brain’s response to sound. The tests are painless, often done while the baby sleeps, and take just a few minutes.
Understanding the results
A clear response suggests hearing is working well. If a clear response is not found in one or both ears, it does not necessarily mean hearing loss, but the baby is referred for further hearing tests to check.
Good to know
Risks and limitations
The tests are completely safe and painless. They can sometimes need repeating if the baby is unsettled or has fluid in the ears after birth, and a referral does not always mean a permanent problem.
Education and reference only. This explains the test in general terms and is not medical advice. Always follow the specific instructions from the team arranging your test, and discuss your results with your clinician.
Answers
Newborn Hearing Screening: frequently asked questions
Does needing a repeat test mean my baby is deaf?
No. Babies are often referred simply because they were unsettled or had fluid in the ear canal after birth. Further testing clarifies whether there is any hearing loss.
Why is early hearing testing important?
Finding hearing loss early means support and treatment can start promptly, which greatly helps a child’s speech, language and overall development.
Related tests
Other screening investigations
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Screening and pregnancy
- NICE — antenatal and screening guidance
- UK National Screening Committee
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