Version July 2025
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Why does my newborn need to be screened for hearing loss? —
Screening is important because the sooner you know your baby has a hearing problem, the sooner they can get help. This makes it less likely that their hearing loss will cause problems with learning to talk.
All newborns should be screened for hearing loss soon after birth.
How will my newborn be screened for hearing loss? —
There are 2 different tests for hearing loss in newborns:
●Auditory brainstem response – The doctor puts 3 small devices called "electrodes" on your baby. They go on the forehead, the back of the neck, and behind the ear. They connect to a machine that measures how your baby's brain responds to a clicking sound.
●Otoacoustic emissions – The doctor puts a small microphone into your baby's ear. The microphone makes sounds (clicks or a tone) and measures sound waves from the cochlea. The cochlea is the area inside the ear that allows you to hear (figure 1).
Both tests are painless and take between 5 to 15 minutes. If a test suggests your newborn has hearing loss, they will get another test. They might also need to be checked by an expert in hearing problems, called an "audiologist."
Are some newborns more likely to have hearing loss? —
Yes. Newborns with certain conditions are more likely to have hearing loss. These conditions include:
●Being in the "neonatal intensive care unit" ("NICU") for more than 2 days – Newborns spend time in the NICU if they are born too early or have other health problems.
●A family history of hearing loss in childhood or other conditions that cause hearing problems
●An abnormal shape to 1 or both ears
●Infections
●A serious form of a condition called "jaundice," which causes yellow skin and other problems
Patient education: Newborn screening (The Basics)
Patient education: Caring for your newborn (The Basics)
Patient education: When a baby is born premature (The Basics)
Patient education: What to expect in the NICU (The Basics)
Patient education: Jaundice in babies (The Basics)
Patient education: Jaundice in newborn infants (Beyond the Basics)
