Newborn Hearing Screening Programme

The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme, sometimes known as Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS), usually involves a harmless test known as the Oto-Acoustic Emissions test (OAE).

In the late 1970s it was first discovered that for each sound which is heard by the ear, the ear itself produces a tiny corresponding sound.

This 'echo', known as an otoacoustic emission, forms the basis for a screening technique called Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE) testing. A small probe is placed just inside the baby's ear and this produces a gentle sound. The 'echo', which will be present in nearly all hearing children, can then be measured by a computer. The test is non-invasive and produces objective results quickly.

As the test does not rely on the participation of the baby, it is ideal for newborn hearing screening and only takes a few minutes.

If the first test does not show a strong enough response, the baby is referred for a second screening. This does not necessarily mean that a hearing loss is suspected. Conditions at the time of the first test may not have been right.

A small proportion of babies will be referred to have an Auditory Brainstem Response Test, which can give better information about their hearing.

Auditory Brainstem Response Test (ABR)

The Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) Test is usually carried out at the audiology clinic in your local hospital. In the ABR test, some sounds are played through earphones that are placed on the baby's head, usually when he or she is asleep, and a computer records how the baby's ears respond to the sounds. If the ABR responds strongly it is unlikely that the baby will have a hearing loss.