Newborn Hearing Screening

Newborn Hearing Screening

All newborns go through a hearing test to check for hearing loss. Learn how and why this hearing test done.
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What is a Newborn Hearing Screening?

A newborn hearing screening is a test that checks how well your baby hears. Some babies may need more testing to learn more about their hearing.

Why Was My Baby’s Hearing Tested?

Every baby has a newborn hearing screening after birth. Hearing is important for learning speech and language, especially during the first few years of life. Babies learn by listening to voices and sounds around them. If a baby cannot hear well, it may be harder for them to learn to talk. Finding hearing loss early helps families get the support their baby needs as soon as possible.

How is the Newborn Hearing Screening Done?

Most babies sleep during this test. The test does not hurt your baby and only takes a short time to complete.

  • Small stickers, called sensors, are placed on your baby’s head and behind their ears.
  • Soft earphones are placed over or in your baby’s ear.
  • The earphones play quiet sounds.
  • The sensors measure how your baby’s hearing nerve responds to the sounds.

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ALERT

Call your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic if you have any questions or concerns or if your child has special health care needs that were not covered by this information.

Draft Number: 1895Revision Date: July 1, 2026

This content was created to help you care for your child and/or family member. It does not take the place of medical care. Talk with your healthcare provider for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.