The newborn hearing screening test helps identify babies who have permanent hearing loss as early as possible. This means parents can get the support and advice they need right from the start.
The newborn hearing test is called the automated otoacoustic emission (AOAE) test. It takes just a few minutes. A small soft-tipped earpiece is placed in your baby's ear and gentle clicking sounds are played. It's not always possible to get clear responses from the 1st test. This happens with lots of babies, and does not always mean your baby has permanent hearing loss.
You'll be given your baby's hearing test results as soon as the test is done. If your baby has a clear response in both ears, they're unlikely to have permanent hearing loss. But the newborn hearing test does not pick up all types of permanent hearing loss. Children can also develop permanent hearing loss later on, so it's important to check your child's hearing as they grow up. The checklist in your baby's personal child health record (red book) tells you how to do this. You can also visit Newborn hearing screening: making and reacting to sounds checklists on GOV.UK. If you have any concerns about your child's hearing, tell your health visitor or GP.