The aim of newborn hearing screening is to find babies with permanent hearing loss and provide them with support as soon as possible. By providing help right from the start babies with permanent hearing loss have the best chances with regards their speech and language development.
All babies born in Leeds Teaching Hospitals will be offered a hearing test which is normally carried out before they are discharged. The aim of the hearing screen is to identify babies that may have a hearing loss and require further testing. In Leeds about one baby each month is born with a permanent hearing loss.
How is the newborn hearing test done?
Babies show varied responses to sounds that go on around them, they may seem show a response to sound and then not do it again. Therefore we need to use tests that do not rely on a response from your baby you can see. The video below shows the newborn hearing screening process:
My baby needs further testing in the audiology department
If your baby’s hearing screen does not show a good response in one or both ears, further testing will be required at your nearest specialist audiology department.
If this is the case in Leeds an appointment will be made in the Hearing and Balance Centre at Leeds General Infirmary. Should this happen it does not necessarily mean that your baby has a permanent hearing loss, there are a number of other possible reasons for the result including:
- Your baby was unsettled during testing
- There was background noise during the test
- There is fluid from the birth or a temporary blockage in your baby’s ear
Even though the chance of your baby having a permanent hearing loss is small it is important to rule it out. If there is a hearing loss any delay may harm your child’s speech and language development.
What tests will be carried out?
The tests used at the appointment in the Hearing and Balance Centre are similar to those used for your baby’s hearing screen, however they provide more detailed information.
For some of the tests that may be used your baby will need to be asleep, therefore we allow plenty of time in the appointment to settle you baby and make them comfortable. If possible, feed your baby shortly before the hearing test. Each appointment may take up to 1 hour 20 minutes.
At the end of the appointment your audiologist should be able to tell you the results. In the majority of cases seen at the Hearing and Balance Centre testing will shows that the baby’s hearing is satisfactory, however sometimes a temporary or permanent hearing loss is detected.
Who will perform the tests?
If your baby is referred to the Hearing and Balance Centre for further hearing tests they will be seen by a senior member of our paediatric team:
Chris Monaghan-Doyle
Principal Clinical Scientist (Audiology)
Louise Kirsch
Audiology Team Leader
Aaron Sykes
Audiology Team Leader
External Links
Further information is available in a range of languages.
NHS Choices – Your baby has a hearing loss, parent information.
Contact us
The Hearing and Balance Centre is based in Brotherton Wing, Leeds General Infirmary.
For appointments or information please telephone 0113 3922484.
Email: [email protected]
How many babies are born with a permanent hearing loss?
One to two babies in every 1,000 are born with permanent hearing loss in one or both ears, as a result in Leeds about one baby per month is born with a permanent hearing loss.
If a baby required more than 48 hours in intensive care there is a higher chance they may have a hearing loss.