The screening of newborns for hearing loss will be offered throughout New Zealand by 2009. It is already available in some parts of the Waikato. Lynne Forsman, programme manager for newborn hearing screening at Waikato District Health Board looks at the benefits of detecting hearing loss early.

"The earlier hearing loss can be picked up, the better the outcome for the child. The later it is detected, the more speech and language development is delayed. Babies identified before the age of six months as having hearing loss can develop speech and language skills within the normal range, even if hearing loss is profound."

She says that newborn hearing screening is simple and painless - often the baby is asleep and isn’t even aware the screening test has been carried out.

"There are two kinds of screening tests that may be used.  In both tests soft clicking sounds are played into baby's ear through a soft tip or ear muff.  The baby's hearing responses are picked up by the screening equipment.  In the first test, transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE's), a microphone in the soft tip records the hearing responses from the baby's ear.

"Sometimes babies need a repeat screen and this usually takes place prior to discharge from the maternity unit. In the second test, automated auditory brainstem response (AABR), the baby’s hearing responses are recorded by small sensor pads placed on baby's head. If this is not possible, you will be offered an appointment to return to a hearing screening clinic for a repeat screen within one to two weeks."

She says if the repeat hearing screen does not show a clear result, your baby will be referred to an audiologist.  They will determine if the baby has a hearing loss and ensure the best possible care is received.

"It is very important that you keep this appointment." 

"The results of the newborn hearing screen show how babies hear at the time of the screen.  Some types of hearing loss can develop during childhood so screeners always emphasise to parents the importance of monitoring their child’s hearing by providing them with a hearing checklist. If parents are ever worried about their child's hearing they should contact their family doctor or Well Child provider."

The Waikato newborn hearing screening programme started in February 2004.  Prior to the implementation of the programme, children in the Waikato with hearing loss were an average of 67 months old for Maori children and 37 months old for NZ/European children before their condition was picked up.

"Before the programme started, many children weren’t getting a proper hearing test until they started school. By then, children with hearing loss were severely behind other children in their speech and language development."

About 9500 babies have been screened (as at 24/10/2006) since the Waikato programme began, with a number of cases of hearing loss detected. 

"We have picked up 11 babies with permanent bi-lateral hearing loss, five of which have profound hearing loss - two have had cochlear implants. A further five babies have had hearing loss in one ear, and five others with unilateral atresia - absence or obstruction of the external auditory canal - have been detected.

"These babies will have greatly improved speech and language skills, and educational attainment – in many cases equivalent to children with normal hearing - as a result of their hearing loss being detected early."

The newborn hearing screening programme is to be rolled out across New Zealand, and Lynne Forsman encourages all parents to take advantage of the programme where it is available.

"Nearly all parents in the Hamilton, Thames and Taumarunui areas have their baby’s hearing tested - the decline rate is only one percent. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking part in the programme. About two babies out of every one thousand have a significant hearing loss - but for those babies early detection makes a huge difference to their quality of life."

October 2006

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