Newborn hearing screening

Why does my newborn baby need a hearing test?

The incidence of hearing loss among newborns is between one and six babies in every 1,000 births. Because the incidence is so high, it is important that your baby have their hearing screened at birth. It is also a state mandate. If your child was born outside of a hospital system, it is important to screen your baby for hearing loss in the first 3 weeks. If hearing loss exists, it is important to identify the hearing loss by 3 months old and intervene by 6 months old.

When should I have my baby's hearing tested?

All but five U.S. states require newborn hearing screening before a baby leaves the hospital. If your child was born outside of a hospital system, it is important to screen your baby for hearing loss during the first three weeks. If hearing loss exists, the baby should be seen by a specialist as soon as possible to identify the problem and determine treatment options.