Why screen my baby's hearing?
One to two babies in every 1000 are born with a permanent
hearing loss in one or both ears. The hearing screening test will
allow those babies who do have a permanent hearing loss to be
identified early.
Newborn Hearing Screening involves testing babies hearing within
the first few weeks of life. It is now carried out across the
country, which means that every baby born in England will have
their hearing tested shortly after birth. Evidence suggests that
the earlier a child's hearing impairment is identified and an
appropriate intervention programme introduced, the greater the
chances they will develop better speech and language skills and
enjoy benefits in speech, social and emotional development . It
also means that support and information can be provided to parents
at an early stage.
What will happen when my baby is screened?
There are two types of screen used. One is the Automated
Oto-acoustic emission (AOAE) screen. This involves placing a small
soft tipped ear-piece in the outer part of the baby's ear and
playing quiet clicking sounds. In a hearing ear, the organ of
hearing (the cochlea) should produce sounds in response, which can
be recorded using specialist software on a computer. The
second type of hearing screen involves placing small sensors
on the baby's head and neck and then presenting a quiet clicking
sound, through soft head-phones which are designed for babies. This
is called the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response Test (AABR).
Both screening methods usually only take a few minutes and can be
done when the baby is asleep. The screening test does not hurt and
is not uncomfortable for the baby. It will be carried out by a
trained hearing screener.
Further information can be found here.