Frequently Asked Questions

Newborn Hearing Screening

How is my baby's hearing tested?
What is the chance my baby has a permanent hearing loss?
What causes a hearing loss?
My baby didn't pass his hearing screening. What can I do?

How is my baby's hearing tested?
Testing your baby's hearing will take only a few minutes and is very safe. Most babies sleep through the testing. Small earphones and sensors are placed on your baby. The earphones and sensors send information to a computer that measures your baby's hearing.

What is the chance my baby has a permanent hearing loss?
On average, three out of every 1,000 babies have a hearing loss. Some babies will have hearing loss in both ears. Some will have hearing loss in just one ear. Some hearing loss is mild and some is profound.

What causes a hearing loss?
There are many causes of hearing loss at birth. Some hearing loss is temporary and can be easily corrected. Other hearing loss is permanent. Hearing loss in newborns can be caused by an infection the mother has during pregnancy or by your baby's medical complications. Hearing loss may also run in a family. Click here to view an article on Genetic Causes of Hearing Loss in Newborns.

My baby didn't pass his hearing screening. What can I do?
Tell you baby's doctor that your newborn needs a complete hearing test by an audiologist with experience in the evaluation of babies. A complete listing of pediatric audiologists can be found in the Literature section of this site.