Newborn Hearing Screening

If a baby does not pass the newborn hearing screening at the hospital or birthing site, it is very important to return for a follow-up hearing screening. Not passing the hearing screening does not mean your baby has a hearing loss, but follow-up screening is a step closer to identifying if a baby has a hearing loss. Some babies are born with certain high risk factors for developing a hearing loss. Your baby may pass the hearing screening before discharge from the hospital or birthing site, but if your baby was born with high risk factors, it is important for your baby to get a diagnostic audiological evaluation (DAE) by 6 months of age or sooner, if recommended by your doctor.

Download Newborn Hearing Screening Program Brochure. PDF TEXT

Procedure for Newborn Hearing Screening

Newborn hearing screening is conducted using special equipment. On Guam, the first step in hearing screening is to use the Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) screening equipment. A sensitive microphone is placed in the baby’s ear canal. This procedure is quick, easy, non-invasive, and does not hurt the baby. It is done when the baby is sleeping or very quiet. Many babies sleep through the process, which takes less than 2 minutes. The equipment records the ear’s response to sounds.

If the baby does not pass the OAE screening, the next step would be to use the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening equipment. This procedure involves placing electrodes on the baby that would record the responses from the brain when sounds are sent to the baby’s ears.

Importance of Follow-Up Hearing Screening

Newborn hearing screening is a procedure conducted before an infant is discharged from the hospital or birthing center. This is a standard of care for all babies born on Guam, just like getting the baby's weight, measurements, and temperature. Newborn hearing screening identifies if a baby might have a hearing loss.

Some babies are born with certain high risk factors for developing a hearing loss. Your baby may pass the hearing screening before discharge from the hospital or birthing site, but if your baby was born with high risk factors, it is important to bring him back for a follow-up testing by 6 months of age.
High Risk Factors for Hearing Loss PDF  TEXT