Newborn Hearing Screenings

A newborn hearing screening aids in identifying infants that have a hearing loss and is required for all infants within the first month of birth. Infants born in hospitals obtain this screening prior to leaving the hospital. Infants born at home, or a birthing center must schedule an appointment with an audiologist for their newborn hearing screening. 

Infants and children use their hearing to develop speech and language skills. Hearing loss that is not detected at a young age can have a major impact on a child's life. It can affect your child’s language development. Furthermore, speech and language delays can impact your child’s academic, social and emotional development. Research has proven that the earlier a baby’s hearing loss is found, the more successful their outcomes will be due to early intervention. 

OAEs (Otoacoustic emissions) will be performed at your infant's newborn hearing screening.  

Pass

Pass results means hearing loss was not detected during the screening; however does not rule out future hearing problems. 

Fail

Fail results means that further testing is needed to confirm your child’s hearing ability. If your baby gets a Fail result, please do not be alarmed. This is only a screening, which means that more detailed information is needed to determine your baby’s hearing status.

Having your newborn's hearing tested is fairly simple, however here's a few items to make sure things go smoothly. 

• Swaddle your infant - Babies like to be warm and cozy

• Dimly lit room - Because the environment is still so new to your newborn, bright lights may be be uncomfortable for him/her 

• Holding your infant - Babies like to be warm and cozy, and to feel the body heat of others, therefore it is beneficial for the mother to hold her baby against her chest swaddled, however you do not have to hold your baby. For example, your baby can be sleeping in his/her bassinet

• Quiet room - To reduce false reading and artifacts during the testing, a quiet room is necessary

• Feeding your infant - During testing, breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby can be helpful to keep them calm and quiet (a pacifier may also be used)

• Sleeping baby - Testing needs to be performed in a quiet environment therefore, that includes a quiet, calm, and still baby 

Having your newborn's hearing tested is fairly quick and simple 

• Call/email to schedule an appointment

• At the appointment: 

  • • • • A visual inspection will be performed on your baby's ear

        • A soft, small probe will be inserted into your baby's ear canal for the assessment

        • Test results will provided at the end of the appointment

        • Test results will be submitted directly to the Florida Department of Health 

Currently, we are not in network with any insurance plans at this time. 

No. Your baby can sleep through the entire process because your baby needs to be quiet, calm, and still therefore, feeding your baby right before the appointment is a good idea.