Where is hearing screening offered?

Why does my baby need to be screened?

Who will screen my baby and when?

Does my baby have to be screened?

How will my baby’s hearing be screened?

If my baby is not screened or if I decline screening in the hospital can screening be checked at a later time? 

Does the screen detect very mild hearing losses?

What happens when my baby passes the hearing screening?

My baby passed the hearing screen but I still have to go back for a later follow up. Why?

Why does my baby need a repeat screen?

What happens if the repeat screen shows my baby may have a hearing loss?

What happens if the audiologist confirms that my baby has a hearing loss?

What help is available?

Where is hearing screening offered?
When newborn hearing screening is fully implemented, all 21 District Health Boards will be offering newborn hearing screening free of charge, to every eligible baby born in their area, whether they are born in hospital or at home. 

Why does my baby need to be screened?
• In New Zealand up to 170 babies are born each year with a significant hearing loss
• Over half of babies found to have a hearing loss have no family history of hearing loss or other risk factors
• Without screening it is difficult to detect hearing loss in babies until speech and language development becomes delayed
• Early detection of hearing loss will help parents and families/whānau and professionals to help the baby to develop good communication and language skills.

Who will screen my baby and when?
Babies born in hospital will be offered screening in most cases before going home. For babies who are not screened in hospital or are born at home, hearing screening will be available either at the hospital or a health clinic as an outpatient. Trained hearing screeners will offer and carry out the screening. Ideally your baby will be settled or asleep during the screen.

Does my baby have to be screened?
It is strongly recommended that your baby is screened because of the benefits that newborn hearing screening offers. However parents may decline screening. It is your choice.

How will my baby’s hearing be screened?

There are two types of screens. One or both of these may be used. You will be told the results of the screens straight away.

• AOAE (Automated otoacoustic emissions): a small soft-tipped earpiece is placed in your baby’s ear. This makes a clicking sound and a computer shows how your baby’s ears respond.
• AABR (Automated Auditory Brainstem Response): the same soft sounds are played through ear cups. The response from your baby’s hearing nerve is picked up through special sensors that are placed on your baby’s head

The screens are painless and will not harm your baby. It will take 10-20 minutes if your baby is settled or sleeping.

If my baby is not screened or if I decline screening in the hospital can screening be checked at a later time? 
Yes. If you have any concerns about your child's hearing, at any age talk to your Lead Maternity Carer, GP, Well Child provider or early childhood teacher.

Does the screen detect very mild hearing losses?
The screen is designed to pick up moderate to profound hearing loss. It will not necessarily pick up mild losses. It is important that you continue to monitor your child's hearing. If you have concerns about your child's hearing you should talk to your Lead Maternity Carer, GP, Well Child provider or early childhood teacher.

What happens when my baby passes the hearing screening?
When your baby passes the hearing screening, this means that at the time of the screening your baby’s hearing was good. However some types of hearing loss can develop during childhood. If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing talk to Lead Maternity Carer, GP or Well Child provider. A checklist “Can my baby hear?” can be found in the Well Child/ Tamariki Ora, Health book.

My baby passed the hearing screen but I still have to go back for a later follow up. Why?
There are certain instances when babies are at more risk than usual of developing hearing loss after their initial screen. These babies will be followed up with appointments with an audiologist if necessary. Some reasons for this include certain infections, some treatments and medications or when there is a family history of permanent hearing loss.

Why does my baby need a repeat screen?

Some babies need another screen because the earlier screening did not show a strong enough response in one or both ears. This may be because:

• your baby was unsettled
• there was too much noise in the testing room
• there was fluid in your baby's middle ear
• your baby may have a hearing loss

The repeat screen will be done either before you and your baby leave hospital, or as an outpatient appointment. It is the best way to be sure about your baby's hearing. You will be told the results straight away.

What happens if the repeat screen shows my baby may have a hearing loss?

• your baby may or may not have a hearing loss
• your baby will be referred to a hearing specialist (audiologist) for a range of diagnostic tests.

These tests are able to give a more thorough assessment of your baby's hearing levels.

What happens if the audiologist confirms that my baby has a hearing loss?

• the audiologist will talk with you about the services and support available to your family and how these can assist you with your baby's additional needs. Together, you can make a plan
• it is best that this planning begins soon after a diagnosis of hearing loss. This will help your baby develop good communication and language skills.

What help is available?

• On-going audiology services
• Ministry of Education Advisors on Deaf Children have training and experience in supporting young children with hearing loss and their parents and families/whanau.

Specifically Ministry of Education Advisors on Deaf Children:

• offer support in fostering the development of language through listening, speaking and visual communication
• are a key link to services and resources, including opportunities to meet with other parents and people who have hearing loss
• provide information on the full range of options for developing communication and information on devices such as hearing aids, cochlear implants and other assistive listening technology
• provide information about developing New Zealand sign language and assistance to keep an eye on your baby's progress.