Diagnostic newborn hearing assessment

The children’s audiology service screen newborn babies’ hearing if further assessment is needed.

All babies are offered newborn hearing screening in the maternity unit when they are first born. If your baby is born at home they will be offered an outpatient appointment for their hearing screen.

We may refer your baby for further testing on one or both ears following their initial hearing screen.

Further testing is carried out in the Audiology Department within four weeks from referral.

It is easiest to complete the testing with the baby asleep so if a baby can be fed prior to the appointment this can help settle the baby.

We do provide a private area for feeding if required, just ask at the reception desk. Nappy changing facilities are available in the disable toilet.

How long does testing take?

Further testing at the referral appointment can take anywhere between 20 minutes and two hours depending on how much testing is required.

For babies who have spent time in the special care baby unit, the appointment is likely to last at least one and a half hours.

Tests

Otoacoustic Emission test

The first test attempted will be the Otoacoustic Emission test. This involves putting a small ear piece in the baby’s ear. The ear piece produces a small clicking sound and does not hurt or generally disturb the baby. The baby needs to be settled for this test, but not necessarily asleep.

If there is a clear response on both ears then the hearing is satisfactory and no further testing is required.

If there is no clear response on one or both ears, or if the baby has spent time in special care then the second test is required.

Auditory brain stem response test

The second test is called an auditory brain stem response test. The baby does need to be settled and sleeping to complete this test which can take over an hour.

The baby’s skin needs to be cleaned using a slightly abrasive cream on the forehead and behind each ear and then sticky tabs are applied.

Recording leads are attached to the sticky tabs and sounds are played through headphones or insert earphones. The Audiologist will record the responses and interpret the results.

If testing can be completed then the Audiologist will be able to give you an indication about the level of hearing at one or more frequencies. However, further testing on a separate occasion is often needed before levels of hearing are known with any certainty. The Audiologist will discuss the results with you.