Basic facts about hearing screenings for newborns:
- Measures responses from your baby's auditory system when he or she hears sound
- Can be done using either auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing or otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing
- Takes about 10-20 minutes
- Is safe and comfortable for your baby
- Is easiest to do when your baby is sleeping
- Can be performed by nurses, technicians, midwives, audiologists (hearing specialists) and other trained professionals
- Cannot determine if your baby is deaf or hard of hearing, but can tell you if your baby needs more testing
- Cannot tell the difference between fluid in the ear and permanent hearing loss if a baby does not pass
Babies who have never had a hearing screening or who did not pass one hearing screen should receive a hearing screen before 1 month of age.
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Hearing Screening Facilities in Western WA (PDF) | |
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Hearing Screening Facilities in Central & Eastern WA (PDF) | |
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Brochure - Can Your Baby Hear? Your Baby's First Hearing Screen | |
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Brochure – Your Baby Needs Another Hearing Test |
Email EHDDI at ehddi2@doh.wa.gov
Or call 1-888-WAEHDDI (1-888-923-4334)