Every baby in Georgia receives a Newborn Hearing Screening (NBHS).

This screening is mandated in most states & is typically completed at the birth hospital prior to discharge.

Why do all babies receive a hearing screening?

It's possible to detect a hearing loss and provide intervention as young as infancy!

  • Hearing loss is very common, affecting 3-4 in 1,000 newborns

  • 95% of children with hearing loss are born to hearing parents with no family history of hearing loss (Mitchell, Ross E and Michael A Karchmer, 2004)

  • Children whose hearing loss isn’t identified until age three won’t receive the necessary early intervention (e.g. hearing aids, therapies) they need to take advantage of the critical learning period.

 

What if my baby doesn’t pass the NBHS?

This doesn’t necessarily mean your baby has a permanent hearing loss, but without additional testing we can’t be sure.

  • When a baby does not pass the first newborn hearing screen, they should receive a follow-up screening within the first month of life (the sooner the better).

  • When a baby does not pass two hearing screenings, they should be seen by a pediatric audiologist for a diagnostic hearing test, called a diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) evaluation as soon as possible. See resources below.

 
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Why do i need to follow up so quickly?

  • The diagnostic ABR evaluation requires that the infant is sleeping soundly. In order to avoid the use of sedation for testing, this test needs to be completed prior to 3 months of age (but the earlier, the better!). Sedation is typically required for babies >4 months of age.

  • Children who are identified and receive Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) services earlier have better outcomes in language, literacy, and academics.

 

where do i go for follow-up testing?

  1. Check out these maps of infant hearing testing providers around the state.

  2. Still need help? Email us at MAPinfo@doe.k12.ga.us, and we’ll help get you scheduled.

What should I expect at the appointment?

Check out this great video from Hear to Learn, showing what to expect at the appointment.