After the birth of your baby in a hospital or birth centre, a health care provider will offer to have your baby's hearing screened. A referral or appointment is not needed.
With your consent, your baby's hearing screening will happen before your baby leaves the hospital. The results of your baby's hearing screening and any follow up needed will be shared with you.
Your baby will be referred to Community Hearing Screening if:
- your baby is discharged from hospital or birth centre before hearing screening can take place
- your baby is born at a hospital or birth centre that does not offer hearing screening
- your baby is not born in a hospital or birth centre
For more information on screening in the community, see the service type Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Program - Community Hearing Screening.
Hearing screening is the best way to find out if your baby has hearing loss.
Hearing screening is quick, safe, and will not hurt your baby. Your baby's hearing is important for many areas of child and brain development. Hearing loss can delay your child's speech, learning and social skills.
For more information, visit our website.