Newborn hearing screening checks whether your baby hears well. All eligible babies can have newborn hearing screening free of charge.

If your baby has a hearing loss, finding it early will help their language, learning and social development.

Newborn hearing screening has become the expected standard of care internationally.  Programmes have been established in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and a growing number of other countries.

In response to the success of these programmes in other countries, in 2007 the Government announced that it would fund newborn hearing screening for all eligible babies in New Zealand.

This programme is jointly led by the Ministries of Health and Education to ensure that babies who have hearing loss receive ongoing support.

Programme Aim

The UNHSEIP aims to identify newborns with hearing loss early so they can access appropriate assistance as soon as possible,  leading to better outcomes for these children as well as their families / whānau and society.

The core goals of the UNHSEIP are described as "1-3-6" goals which are based on international programme measures:

1.  Babies to be screened by 1 month of age

3.  Audiology assessment completed by 3 months of age

6.  Initiation of appropriate medical and audiological services, and Early Intervention education services, by 6 months of age.