Newborn Hearing Screening Program

Approximately 2 in every 1000 babies born will have what is termed a moderate, severe or profound hearing loss. It is an unfortunate fact that only around 25% Newborn Hearing Screening Program of children born with hearing impairments are diagnosed by the age of 12 months.

When hearing loss remains unmanaged it can lead to poor language development in early childhood and lower educational achievements and employment opportunities later on in life. We are aware from overseas reports that newborn hearing screening programs can detect hearing problems and help many children achieve normal language skills.

Newborn hearing screening programs involve testing your baby’s hearing in the first few days to few weeks after the birth, depending on where the baby is born. When babies are found to have a possible hearing impairment they can be referred for further investigation and follow up.

Hearing impairment in babies is often related to certain risk factors such as being premature, having head and neck abnormalities and having a family history of early hearing impairment. Not all babies with hearing impairments, however, have a risk factor. Early diagnosis and intervention can dramatically improve outcomes for children with hearing impairments.

Further Information

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/child/pages/hearing-services.aspx

Resources

Resources from the SWISH Program – NSW Health


Why does my baby need a hearing screen? PDF	I chose not to have my baby screened. What do I need to know? PDF	Why does my baby need a repeat hearing screening? PDF

Why does my baby need a diagnosic assessment? PDF	Why has my baby been directly referred for a diagnostic assessment?

Published 21st March 2020

Reviewed 27th June 2021

About the Author

Hannah Dahlen has been a midwife for more than 25 years. She is the national spokesperson for the Australian College of Midwives. Hannah is a past national president of ACM. Currently, she is a Professor of Midwifery. She’s a Higher Degree Research Director in the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Western Sydney University. Hannah speaks on a number of topics in the media regarding midwifery, birth and women and provides guidance. She also speaks topics of inspiration to many midwives, newly graduated midwives and midwifery students in Australia and internationally.