Newborn hearing screening FAQs

Some babies are born with a hearing loss. Most of these babies will be born into families where no-one else has a hearing loss. Finding out early is important for your baby’s development. This means you can get more support and information to help you and your baby.

Hearing screening tells us which babies may have a hearing loss. The test can pick up hearing loss at an early stage so that support can be given.

Screening does not detect all hearing loss or prevent future hearing difficulties.

One or two babies in every 1000 are born with a hearing loss in both ears. Most of these babies are born into families where no-one else has a hearing loss. A smaller number are born with a hearing loss in one ear. A baby who needed special care may be more likely to have a hearing loss.

Hearing screening tells us which babies may have a hearing loss. The screening test shows us which babies need more tests to decide if they have a hearing loss. These tests will be offered in a special hospital clinic.

Finding out early means that you and your baby get support and information right from the start.

For every 10 babies who are referred for another hearing test with an Audiologist, one will have a permanent hearing loss.

There are two types of hearing loss, sensorineural and conductive hearing loss. The type of hearing loss your baby has depends on where the problem is in the ear.

There are different levels of hearing loss. These can be described as mild, moderate, severe and profound. Your audiologist will be able to explain which sounds your baby can hear and which sounds they have difficulty hearing. It is very unlikely that your baby will not be able to hear any sounds at all.

Sensorineural  hearing loss

Sensorineural hearing loss (sometimes called nerve deafness) is a permanent hearing loss. This usually means that there is a problem in the part of the inner ear called the cochlea.

Most babies with a sensorineural hearing loss are born into families where no-one else is deaf, although in some families the hearing loss may be inherited. Sensorineural hearing loss may also be caused by infections during pregnancy, premature birth and complications at birth. It may be part of another condition or linked to other difficulties. Hearing loss can also develop through childhood illnesses, such as mumps, measles or meningitis.

Children with sensorineural hearing loss can also have a temporary conductive hearing loss.

Conductive hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss means that sound cannot pass through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss is usually temporary, but in a very small number of babies the hearing loss may be permanent.

Conductive hearing loss is commonly caused by fluid in the middle ear (known as glue ear). Less commonly, it may be caused by problems with the development of the outer and middle ear.

The support available will be based on the type and severity of your baby’s hearing loss. For some families, this might be advice and guidance about communicating with and supporting your baby as they grow.

For hearing losses that might delay or prevent the development of speech and language, an Early Years Support Team will be available to provide support for you and your baby. The team includes an audiologist, a specialist teacher and a specialist doctor. A speech and language therapist and social worker may also be part of the team.

Most babies are screened whilst they are still in Hospital.  If your baby needs to attend a screening Clinic, you will be offered an appointment at an available clinic closest to your home.

Contact your Health Visitor, who will be able to notify Newborn Hearing Screening Wales.  If you do not yet have a Health Visitor please contact us.

Speak to your Health Visitor or GP who will refer your baby to Audiology.  An appointment will be offered for a further test in the Audiology Department in your area.

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

As the cost of living is affecting many of us, it is important to know what help is available from the NHS.

While financial support for attending routine screening appointments is not provided under the Department of Health rules, some people who need to come back for further tests may be eligible for financial support.

The NHS ‘Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme’ (HTCS) sets out clear guidance to people about when financial help can be provided. The scheme has a strict eligibility criteria. For those who are eligible, the scheme supports the cost of travelling to hospital or other NHS premises for NHS funded treatment or diagnostic tests.

To check if you are eligible for financial support, visit the NHS ‘Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme’ (HTCS) web pages for more information or contact us, if you have any further questions.

All of our Clinic venues are wheelchair accessible and/or have lifts.

Ideally the screening test is done when it is quiet, so it is better if you only bring your baby, but if you need to bring other children with you we would ask that you try and keep them as quiet as possible.

Information about hearing screening is available in different formats including:

Easy Read, Audio and BSL.  We can also provide information in Braille on request.

Interpreter services are available using ‘language line’ during the screening test.  Language line is a telephone service used by Newborn Hearing Screening Wales, and BSL interpreters can also be arranged.  If you would like an interpreter available for your baby’s appointment, please contact us before you come so that we can arrange this.

Unfortunately, we do not use video-calling platforms like Zoom, FaceTime or Live Chat at this time.  Newborn Hearing Screening Wales is working to improve how you can contact us.

A BSL interpreter can be arranged for your baby’s appointment, please contact us before you come so that we can arrange this.

Or you may want to ask a spouse, partner or family member to contact us with your permission.

All information resources and webpages produced by Newborn Hearing Screening Wales are produced in Welsh and English.

If you would prefer for your baby’s Clinic appointment to be carried out in Welsh, please contact us before you come so that we can arrange for a Welsh speaking Screener to carry out the appointment.