Newborn hearing service

The team offer newborn hearing screening to all eligible babies* within three months of their birth, part of a series of routine checks offered to all babies in the first few weeks of life.

The test uses quick and simple methods to check your baby’s hearing. It does not hurt and is not uncomfortable. The screening test will usually be done while your baby is asleep or settled.

(*All babies are eligible for sceening if they are born in England and are fit enough to test within the first three months of life or are transferred into England before three months of age, unless there is unequivocal evidence of hearing loss.)

One or two babies in every 1,000 are born with hearing loss in one or both ears. It is not easy to identify that a young baby has a hearing loss, so this screening test allows those babies who do 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.

Screening tends to be done on the wards soon after birth, but we also offer a number of clinics at health centres and hospitals:

New Born Hearing Screening Coordinator - Glenys Stittle

For more information:
Tel: 01622 713094
Email: newbornhearing.screening@nhs.net
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