The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme aims to identify moderate, severe and profound hearing impairment in newborn babies. The programme automatically offers all parents the opportunity to have their baby's hearing tested shortly after birth. Early identification, via the programme, gives babies a better ‘life chance' of developing speech and language skills and of making the most of social and emotional interaction from an early age.

Read our Parent Information Leaflet below, or view Frequently Asked Questions from Parents

Why screen my baby's hearing?

Your baby will be offered a series of routine health checks in the first few weeks of life. This will include a hearing screening test. One to two babies in every 1,000 born in Ireland are born with a hearing loss in one or both ears. It is not easy to identify that a young baby has a hearing loss. The hearing screening test will allow those babies who do have a hearing loss to be identified early. Early identification is known to be important for the development of the child. It also means that support and information can be provided to parents at an early stage. It is important to screen all babies, even if no one in your family has a hearing loss. Most babies born with a hearing loss are born into families with no history of hearing loss.

What does the newborn hearing screening test involve?

Your newborn baby will be offered the hearing screening test soon after birth. The hearing screen is usually done before you leave the hospital.

A trained hearing screener carries out the hearing screening test.

The screener places a small soft tipped earpiece in the outer part of your baby's ear which sends clicking sounds down the ear.

When an ear receives sound, the inner part, known as the cochlea, usually produces an echo.

The screening equipment can pick up this echo.

This type of test is called an Automated Otoacoustic Emission (AOAE) screening test.

The AOAE screening test only takes a few minutes and does not hurt your baby. The hearing screening test will usually be done while your baby is asleep or settled.  

You can stay with your baby while the screening test is done.

How can I help prepare my baby for the hearing screening test?

The screening test is easier to carry out if your baby is asleep. Don't worry if your baby will not settle. Your hearing screener will understand that it is difficult to get a young baby to sleep. The following may help your baby to settle during the test:

If possible, feed your baby shortly before the hearing screening test.

Ensure you have the things you may need to make your baby comfortable and happy.

When will I get the results of the hearing screening test and what do they mean?

We will give you the results at the time of the screening test. If you have any concerns or questions about your baby's results contact the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme in your area:

• Newborn Hearing Screening, St. Luke’s General Hospital Carlow/Kilkenny, Freshford Road, Kilkenny. Tel: (056) 771 2599
• Newborn Hearing Screening, South Tipperary General Hospital, Western Rd., Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Tel: (052) 612 7752
• Newborn Hearing Screening, Waterford Regional Hospital, Dunmore Rd., Waterford. Tel: (051) 842 546
• Newborn Hearing Screening, Wexford General Hospital, Newtown Rd., Wexford. Tel: (053) 915 3378
• Audiology Clinic (Hearing Clinic), for above hospitals is based at Waterford Regional Hospital, Dunmore Rd., Waterford. Tel: (051) 842 428
• Newborn Hearing Screening, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, Tel: (021) 4545001
• Newborn Hearing Screening, Kerry General Hospital, Rathass, Tralee, Co. Kerry, Tel: (066) 7102677
• Audiology Clinic (Hearing Clinic), for Cork and Kerry hospitals is based at Cork University Hospital, Wilton Road, Cork, Tel: (021) 4927422

ening test shows a clear response from both of your baby's ears this means that your baby is unlikely to have a hearing loss. The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme is a very reliable way of detecting hearing loss early.

Children can develop or acquire a hearing loss later on so it is important to check your child's hearing as they grow up. Even if your baby gets a clear response from their hearing screening test, you can use two checklists to help you assess the development of their hearing. Click here to open the checklist giving sounds that your baby should react to and click here for the types of sounds your child should make as they grow older. If you have any concerns about your child's hearing you can discuss them with your public health nurse or general practitioner (family doctor). Your child's hearing can be tested at any age.

Why does my baby need a second hearing screening test and what does it involve?

If the screening test does not show a clear response from one or both ears, your baby will need a second hearing screening test. A lot of babies need to have a second screening test and this doesn't necessarily mean that your baby has a hearing loss.  Some common reasons, other than hearing loss, for having a second hearing screening test are:

Your baby may have been unsettled at the time of screening.

There may have been background noise when the screening test was carried out.

Your baby may have fluid or a temporary blockage in their ear after the birth. This is very common and will pass with time.

Most babies are found to have no hearing loss after the second screening test but it is still important that you baby has the second screen. This is because babies who have a hearing loss will usually react to some sounds. If your baby does have a hearing loss it is important to find out as soon as possible.

The second screening test may be the same as the first screening test, the Automated Otoacoustic Emission (AOAE) screening test.

Your baby may also have another type of screening test. This is known as the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening test.

A trained hearing screener carries out the hearing screening test.

The screener places three small sensors on your baby's head and neck.

Soft headphones, specially made for babies, are placed over your baby's ear and a series of clicking sounds are played.

The hearing screening equipment tells us how well your baby's ears respond to sound.

The AOAE screening test takes a few minutes, whereas the AABR screening test can take between 5 and 30 minutes.

You can stay with your baby while the screening test is done.

Why has my baby been referred for an appointment at the local audiology (hearing) clinic?

If the second screening test does not show a clear response from one or both of your baby’s ears you will be referred to the Audiology (hearing) Clinic. An audiologist (person who specialises in hearing) will carry out special tests to measure your baby’s hearing. Again, this often happens and does not necessarily mean your baby has a hearing loss.

There may be a number of other reasons why the second screen could not get a clear response from one or both of your baby’s ears. Further tests by an audiologist (person who specialises in hearing) will give you better information about your baby’s hearing. Click here to read the leaflet ‘Your Baby’s Visit to the Audiology Clinic’ for more information.

Audiology Clinic (Hearing Clinic), Waterford Regional Hospital, Dunmore Rd., Waterford. Tel: (051) 842 428Audiology Clinic (Hearing Clinic), Cork University Hospital, Wilton Road, Cork, Tel: (021) 4927422

Content kindly supplied by the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme / National Screening Committee, UK

Frequently Asked Questions

Many parents may have questions about their baby’s hearing screening test. This page shows some common questions asked by parents.

1. What tests do the Public Health Nurses do at the baby's 8 months follow up?

Usually, the Visual Response Audiometry (VRA) test is suitable to assess infants from six months to about two and a half years. This involves playing sounds of different frequencies (pitch) and intensities (loudness) through speakers. When the child hears the sound they will turn their head and will receive a visual reward - e.g. a moving toy. If it is important to check each ear individually the Audiologist may use small earphones.

The assessment may also include Tympanometry - this test looks at how the middle ear is working (it isn't a test of hearing). It involves a small earpiece placed gently in the ear. This is a good test to identify 'glue ear' which is a temporary hearing loss which is common in young children.

2. My baby was screened at birth and had clear responses, but I now have concerns whether they can hearnormally. What should I do?

Contact your general practitioner (family doctor) or public health nurse who will be able to arrange for your baby/child to have a hearing assessment.

3. Will screening be painful for my baby?

No. It does not hurt and is not uncomfortable. The screening test will usually be done while your baby is asleep and is very quick.

4. How quickly should screening take place and what should I do if my baby is missed?

The screening should take place before you are discharged from hospital (screening can occur within a few hours of birth). If screening hasn't taken place before you and your baby were discharged you will be given an outpatient appointment to take home with you, or be contacted soon after with the appointment details.

If you think your baby may have been missed completely, then speak to your public health nurse or general practitioner (family doctor) who will put you in touch with the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme.

5. Are there any risks in using the equipment? If so, what are they?

All the equipment is safe. The screener will explain how the equipment works and show it to the parent prior to screening.

6. How common are hearing problems in babies with Down syndrome?

Hearing problems can occur in over 50% of babies with Down syndrome so it's really important that they have their hearing checked especially as they are prone to "glue ear" which means the baby can have a hearing loss that fluctuates. There is more information regarding this on the Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) Association's website: http://www.downsyndrome.ie/

7. Why is the consent required for Newborn Hearing Screening when it is not required for other more invasive procedures? Who normally provides that consent?

Consent is required for the Newborn Hearing Screen as the screen is being offered and parents can make a choice about whether they would like their baby's hearing screened.
Other procedures that may occur are treatments or interventions that are necessary for the baby's care. In most instances the mother's provide this consent as the baby is screened within the maternity hospital. Fathers can give consent providing they have "parental responsibility" as defined by the Children Act 1989.

8. Can high volume music or other noises have an adverse effect on an infant's hearing?

Excessive noise can damage the ear and ultimately cause a hearing loss. The sounds used in the equipment for Newborn Hearing Screening are much quieter and will not cause the baby any harm.

9. Does the screen detect very mild hearing losses?

The screen is designed to pick up moderate or worse hearing loss. It will not necessarily pick up mild losses and that is why it is important that parents continue to monitor their child's hearing. If at any stage a parent is concerned about their child's hearing they should see their public health nurse or general practitioner (family doctor).

10. If my baby has confirmed hearing loss in one ear will this affect his development and are there any operations to repair hearing loss?

If your baby does not get a clear response in one or both ears from the screen you will be given an appointment to go to the Audiology Clinic (Hearing Clinic). An audiologist (a person who specialises in hearing) will do further hearing tests at the Audiology Clinic.
If the outcome of this assessment is that there is a hearing impairment in one ear it depends on the cause and severity of the loss as to what treatment or intervention will be necessary.

The Audiologist will explain the results to you at the time and discuss with you what is best for your child.

11. My baby is 12 days old and had no clear responses in both ears, does this happen often or should I beworried?

Getting a "no clear response" from the screen doesn't necessarily mean that a baby has a hearing loss, but it does mean that your baby needs his/her hearing looking at more carefully. If your baby has a "no clear response" from one or both ears when the screen is complete you will be given an appointment to attend the Audiology Clinic (Hearing Clinic) where your baby's hearing will be assessed and the results will be discussed with you.