You get the results of the newborn hearing screening immediately after the tests. Most babies will have a normal result.
If the results are not normal, your baby will be offered more tests to find out why. Your baby will be referred to audiology services for a diagnostic assessment.
If your baby passes the hearing screening tests
This means that your baby is unlikely to have permanent hearing loss. But the newborn hearing screening test will not find every case of hearing loss.
The screener will give you a checklist to take with you. It shows you how to monitor and check that your child is still hearing well as they grow. This is because some types of hearing loss happen later in a child's life.
If you are worried about your child's hearing at any stage talk to your public health nurse (PHN) or GP.
What to do if you're worried about your child's hearing
If your baby does not have a normal newborn hearing screening test result
This does not necessarily mean that your baby has a hearing loss.
Your baby will be referred to the audiology service for more tests. This appointment is usually offered within 4 weeks.
Hearing tests in babies and children
If your baby is at risk of hearing loss
Some children are more likely than others to develop hearing loss as they grow.
Your baby may pass the screening test, but may still have a risk of developing hearing loss. If so, we will offer to do some more tests when they are about 9 months old.
Your baby may have a higher risk of developing hearing loss if they have:
- a syndrome associated with hearing loss - such as Down syndrome, Waardenburg, Treacher-Collins, Goldenhaar, Alport or Ushers
- a cleft lip or palate
- an outer ear that has not formed properly
- an infection they picked up inside the womb or when they were born - for example, cytomegalovirus (CMV)