Newborn Hearing Screening

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Newborn Hearing Screening

(Asha Speech and Hearing Clinic)

  1. Newborn hearing screening can identify possible hearing loss in the initial days of baby’s life. If hearing loss is suspected more tests will be performed to confirm the result .
  2. Hearing loss can be harmful for social, emotional, linguistic and cognitive growth of the child and effect the individual for the rest of his/her life, if not attended in time. The reported no.
  3. of hearing loss cases is between 3-7 per 1000 babies.
  4. Most babies with serious but treatable condition caught on NEWBORN SCREENING grow up healthy with expected development.
  5. “ No baby is too young for a hearing test.”

Q1. Who need to be screened for hearing loss?
Answer: All newborns are required to undergo newborn hearing screening

Q2. Why should my baby’s hearing be screened?
Answer: In the first years of life, babies learn how to communicate. First babies learn to understand what people around them say, then they start to speak. Good hearing is a necessity for this to happen. Hearing loss has to be identified as early as possible. Studies suggests that identification and intervention by the age of 6 months of age will help the baby to develop normal speech and language.

Q. How is NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING performed?
Answer: Newborn hearing screening is done by performing the following:

  • High risk questions
  • BOA
  • OAE (oto acoustic emission) test

The tests done are non invasive and doesn’t cause any pain to the baby. The screening instrument give result of PASS or REFER. If your baby gets REFER results make sure baby’s hearing is retested before 1 month of age.

Benefits of early Identification, Intervention and Rehabilitation.

Research show that babies with hearing loss benefit from wearing hearing aids as early as possible. Early identification will help to diagnose the baby at the earliest and to provide appropriate intervention options such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. Starting rehabilitation early will help the child develop normal speech and language skills. 

If introduced to hearing aid late the brain may not adjust as well as it could have, if received stimulation earlier.

Hearing Checklist

(Can your baby hear)

At 4-10 weeks, when there is a loud sound, do they:
 • Jerk or Blink?
 • Stir in their Sleep?
 • Stop sucking for a moment?
 • Look up from Sucking?
 • Cry

At 3-4 months do they:
 • Blink or cry when there is a sudden noise?
 • Stop crying or sucking when you talk?
 • Wake or stir to loud sounds?
 • Coo or smiles when you talk ?
 • Like musical toys
 • Seem to know your voice?

At 5-7, do they:
 • Turn towards a sound or stop crying?
 • Cry when there is sudden noise?
 • Likes music?
 • Makes lots of babbling sounds
 • Some times copies sounds you make

At 9-12 months, do they:
 • Respond to their own name?
 • Look around to find new soundseven quite          ones?
 • Listen when people talk?
 • Like copying sounds?
 • Use babble that sounds like real speech
 • Try to talk back when you talk?