What is newborn hearing screening?
All newborns in Ontario are screened within the first few days or weeks after birth for hearing problems. You may need to go to a clinic for followup testing to confirm the results of your baby’s first test. Some babies have to return to the hospital after discharge for their test as we do not have screening services available every day. (Ontario’s Newborn Screening Program – http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/program/child/screening/screen_sum.
Hearing screening is not a blood test. Babies can have their hearing checked soon after birth. The test is very safe and does not hurt. Your baby may “pass” the hearing test or may need to be “referred” for further testing. Half of all babies identified with a hearing loss do not have a known cause for hearing loss. Babies identified with a hearing loss will be encouraged to be evaluated at a genetic center. Only 10 percent of babies with a hearing loss are born to parents who have a hearing loss. Significant hearing loss in both ears is present in 1-3 per 1000 newborns in the well baby nursery population, and 2-4 per 1000 in the intensive care unit population. For more information, call (615) 741-8530 or (615) 262-6160.
