Newborn Hearing Screening: What to Do If Your Baby Does Not Pass

All babies get a hearing test when they're born. It's called a newborn hearing screening. Babies who do not pass the newborn hearing screening need to get a more detailed test, called an auditory brainstem response (ABR). The test does not hurt and most babies sleep right through it. Being prepared will help things go smoothly when your child has the ABR test. 

• Make an appointment for the ABR test as soon as you can. 

• At home, continue talking, reading, and singing to your baby. 

To help your baby sleep during the test, come in with your baby tired and hungry. 

Here's what to do the day of the ABR:

• A few hours before the test: 

  • Do not feed your baby. 

  • Do not let your baby sleep. If you have a long trip to get to the test, have someone go with you to help keep the baby awake. 

• Be ready to feed your baby, by breastfeeding or a bottle, right before the test begins to help your baby fall asleep.

After the test, care for your baby as you always do. 

Why do babies need a hearing test? Hearing helps babies learn to talk and understand the world. But babies cannot say if they are not hearing well, so all infants get a hearing test soon after they are born. If babies do not pass the first hearing test, it does not always mean they cannot hear. It means babies need a more detailed hearing test. Finding and treating hearing problems early helps children to learn to talk.

How does the ABR work? The ABR checks how messages from the ears are getting to the brain. During the test, the audiologist (hearing specialist) will give your baby headphones or small earphones that fit just in your baby's ears. The audiologist also will put little stickers on your baby's head. These stickers are sensors that measure how well the sound messages are getting to the brain. The stickers do not hurt.

How long does an ABR take? Plan to spend about 3 hours at the appointment for the ABR test. The test itself takes about 1½ hours. You can stay with your baby during the test. Bring a family member or a trusted friend to help you, if possible.

How do I get the results of the ABR? When the test is complete, the audiologist will tell you the results and let you know if your baby needs other testing or more care. If needed, you will follow up with a doctor who specializes in hearing. If a baby has a hearing loss, the test will show if the hearing loss is:

• mild (unable to hear some sounds), moderate (unable to hear many sounds), or severe/profound (unable to hear most sounds)

• in one ear or both ears

• temporary (could get better) or permanent (probably not going to get better) 

How can I help my baby? Continue to sing to, care for, talk to, and love your baby. Make the appointment for the ABR as soon as you can and follow all instructions from the care team.