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Hearing Screening and Follow-Up Testing

Hearing Screening and Follow-Up Testing

The Best Start

Babies begin learning language from the moment they’re born, soaking up the language all around them. As a parent, you want the best start for your baby. The newborn hearing screening is the first step toward your baby’s best start with language. Your baby’s newborn hearing screening helps you understand how your little one is beginning to experience the world.  

The newborn hearing screening is just that: a quick screening of your baby’s hearing that identifies if your baby needs further testing. If your baby is referred for follow-up testing, don’t worry, but don’t wait. Every child’s journey is unique and discovering how they experience the world is a beautiful part of your story.

1-3-6-Month Goals

  • Screen & rescreen by 1 month of age. If your baby did not pass the initial newborn hearing screen, they should receive a follow-up screening within the first month of life—the sooner the better.
  • Diagnose hearing levels by 3 months of age. If your baby didn’t pass the hearing rescreen in one or both ears, a full hearing test with an audiologist is the next important step. 
  • Enroll in early intervention by 6 months of age. If your baby has a hearing difference, acting early ensures your baby has the best start possible for learning language and building connections with loved ones.

Learn about the 1-3-6-month goals from other families: Hands & Voices Virtual Waiting Room - Family-to-Family Support

Resource: Count 1-3-6 Steps to Open the Door to Your Child's Language and Early Learning [PDF]

Newborn Hearing Screening

A hearing screen is a quick test done shortly after birth—while your baby is sleeping or calm—to check your baby’s hearing.

There are two ways hearing can be screened in babies: otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and automated auditory brainstem response (AABR). Both methods only take a few minutes and use a computer to interpret the baby’s responses to sound.

  • Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (A-ABR): Patches are placed on the baby. Soft sounds are played using small earphones. The patches record brain waves related to hearing.
  • Otoacoustic Emission (OAE): Soft tips are placed inside the baby’s ears and sounds are played. A tiny echo from the inner ear is measured.

Your Baby’s Hearing Screen Results

You’ll get your baby’s hearing screen results right after the test is done; it usually takes about 10 minutes. The results will be recorded as “pass” or “did not pass.”

  • Pass – Your baby shows no signs of a hearing difference at this time.
  • Did Not Pass – Your baby needs more testing to know how they are hearing in one or both ears. Screeners may use different names like “referred” or “failed” for a “did not pass” result. These terms all mean the same thing--your baby needs additional testing.

You may also be told your baby passed but has risk factors for developing hearing loss. If your baby has “risk factors,” it is important to monitor their hearing closely. Learn more: Risk Factors for Early Childhood Hearing Loss  [PDF]

Follow-Up Testing

A rescreen is needed if your baby did not pass the newborn hearing screen in one or both ears. It is simply a repeat of the screen. Don’t worry, but don’t wait. Both the first screen and rescreen should be done before your baby is 1 month of age.

Diagnostic hearing testing is needed if your baby does not pass the rescreen. This testing is done with a pediatric audiologist and gives specific information about how your baby hears in each ear. This testing should be done before your baby is 3 months of age. 

Preparing for the Hearing Test

Watch this video for tips on preparing for your baby's hearing test: How Parents Can Get Ready for Their Baby's Hearing Test

Resources