Princess Margaret Hospital
Newborn Hearing Screening Program (WA)
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The Newborn Hearing Screening Test |
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Contact Information
| Location | Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, |
| Phone | (08) 9340 8366 |
| Fax | (08) 9340 7199 |
The Newborn Hearing Screening Test
Your newborn baby’s hearing screen
Your newborn baby’s hearing screen result
The hearing screen for newborn babies immediately determines whether or not they have a hearing problem. It is painless and carries no risk to the child.
Why Screen Your Baby's Hearing?
- Approximately 1 baby in every 1000 is born with a hearing loss in both ears (bilateral hearing loss).
- Newborn screening of babies enables this problem to be identified and treated quickly.
- Early treatment helps your baby's speech, language and learning development.
- Early intervention provides parents with support and information as soon as possible.
How is the Testing Done ?
Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR)
Three separate leads are placed on your baby’s forehead, back of neck and behind the shoulder. A small earphone "cup" is placed over your baby's ears. This makes a sound and the leads measure the response from your baby's ears to that sound.
When is the Testing Done?
- Screening may be done anytime after your baby is 12 hours old.
- You will be asked (usually the day after the birth) whether you would like your baby to have the test.
- The testing does not hurt your baby in any way.
- If your baby misses the hearing test in hospital, contact the Newborn Hearing Program on 9340 8366 to make arrangements.
Results
The test results measure your baby's hearing response at the time of the test only. The results will be:
- Discussed with you straight after the test.
- Noted in your baby’s medical records.
In some babies an irregular result may occur due to something other than deafness such as:
- Fluid or other matter that has entered the ear canal during the birth process.
- Temporary middle ear fluid.
Babies for whom there is the slightest concern are recommended to have a repeat screen.
Risk Factors for Hearing Loss
- A few rare causes of hearing loss are not picked up by the standard hearing screening.
- With some conditions, a baby's hearing may be normal at birth but gradually worsen over time.
Children with any of the risk factors listed below should be tested by an audiologist every six months:
- A strong family history of permanent hearing loss from a young age.
- Exposure to a congenital infection such as Toxoplasmosis, Rubella, CMV, Herpes, or Syphilis.
- Some syndromes (see your GP for further information).
If your baby does have one of the above-mentioned risk factors, please inform the person who is performing the hearing test.
Concerns for Hearing Loss Should Not Stop at Birth
Please contact your GP, child health nurse or paediatrician if at any time you have any concerns about your child's hearing ability or language development.
Milestones in your baby's hearing
Please use these 'milestones' in hearing development to monitor your baby's hearing as they grow.
- Birth to three months:
- Is startled by or jumps when there is a sudden noise.
- Stirs, wakes up or cries when someone talks or makes a noise.
- Recognises your voice and quietens when you speak.
- Three to six months:
- Turns eyes towards interesting sound.
- Appears to listen.
- Awakes easily to sound.
- Six to twelve months:
- Turns head to soft sounds.
- Understands "no" and "bye-bye".
- Begins to copy speech sounds.
Statistics Since Program Commenced February 2000
As of February 2011:
Number of babies screened 139,000
Prevalence rate for targeted condition (Permanet congenital bilateral sensory neural hearing loss 1.02 per 1000
