Neonatal hearing screening

It is crucial that your baby’s hearing is screened as soon as possible after birth.
Hearing loss affects approximately 2-4 per 1000 live births and it has been estimated to be one of the most common disabilities present at birth.
It is a quick and painless procedure that can be done when your baby is sleeping. Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE) testing is used to assess the integrity of the outer hair cells of the inner ear (cochlea).

The new-born 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 to help stimulate communication as soon as possible.