What happens if a baby does not pass the hearing screen?
A baby may not pass the initial hearing screen for several reasons. When a baby does not pass, it is called a “refer”. When a baby refers for the first time, it is the policy of OHS to repeat the test either immediately or at another time prior to discharge. If the baby refers for the second time, the baby is then referred for further testing by an Audiologist or an ENT. An Audiologist is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hearing disorders and communication problems. An ENT is a physician that specializes in disorders of the ears, nose and throat. It is recommended that infants who are referred from their initial newborn hearing screen receive a medical evaluation and a follow-up diagnostic audiological evaluation before 3 months of age. Infants with confirmed hearing loss should receive appropriate intervention by 6 months of age from professionals with expertise in treating hearing loss in infants and children.
