Newborn Hearing Screening

All newborns will be screened for hearing loss no later than 1 month of age, most before hospital discharge. Newborns who do not pass the first screen should be re-screened by 1 month of age.  All Infants with a risk factor  for hearing loss should be referred for an audiological assessment at least once by 24 to 30 months of age. 

Most babies have normal hearing at birth.  Trained staff screens newborns (screening methods)in hospital programs (list of hospitals) shortly after birth.   Hearing is important for speech and language development.  If hearing loss is found, intervention can be started right away.

Brochures for families and providers:

• Michigan's Newborn Hearing Screening Program English MDCH-0474 
• Michigan's Newborn Hearing Screening Program Spanish MDCH-0474s 
• Michigan's Newborn Hearing Screening Program Arabic MDCH-0474a 
• Children's Special Health Care Services MSA-641 

Information and Reporting forms for providers:

• Audiological/Medical Follow-up Services Report MDCH 0120 
• Instructions for filling out the Audiological/Medical Form 
• Referral Contact Form 
• Order Form MDCH 0708 
• Guidelines for Newborn Hearing Services MDCH 1132 
• HIPPA reporting to the MDCH/EHDI program 
• Mandatory reporting law 
• Hearing Screener Competency Checklist
• Hospital Hearing Screen Policy Sample

• The Newborn Hearing Screening On-Line Training is now live!  Go to  http://learning.mihealth.org  to access the course. (login information) 

• The Michigan newsletter for birth hospitals is provided quarterly and gives information on EHDI program updates and how to improve newborn hearing screening and follow-up.
  Michigan Quarterly Report- Birth hospitals receive the most current data and statistics for the hospital's newborn hearing screening program.

For more information:

• Frequently Asked Questions 
• A Guide to Resources for Families and Providers - Services for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, MDCH-0376 
• Spanish - A Guide to Resources for Families and Providers - Services for Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, MDCH-0376s 

Web Links:

• National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management - Information on state EHDI programs and Physician Flow Chart
• Boys Town National Research Hospital 
• Marion Downs National Center