For Parents
Hearing screening checks for hearing loss. Identifying hearing loss early helps babies stay on track with their speech, language and communication skills as they grow. Screenings are done before you take your baby home from the hospital. If your baby is not born in a hospital, the tests are done between 24-48 hours after your baby’s birth.
There are two ways to screen your baby’s hearing. Both are safe and are usually done when your baby is asleep. The first test measures a tiny sound the ear makes when the baby is hearing properly; this test is called an Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test. The second test measures the baby’s nerve response to sound. This is called an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test.
- Ask your baby’s medical provider or hospital of birth to provide you with their hearing results.
- If your baby failed the hearing screen or you have any questions about their hearing, it is very important to contact your baby’s medical provider or a hearing provider right away to schedule a follow-up appointment.
- The Tennessee Department of Health sends a letter to every family who has a baby that failed the initial hearing screening. This letter states the type of hearing screening their baby received in the hospital or birthing center. If you have not received this letter, you may contact the Tennessee Department of Health at 615-532-8462. You can also ask your baby’s medical provider or hospital of birth to provide you with their hearing results.
- It is important to find a provider which offers the same test, or higher, that your baby received in the hospital setting. The Infant Audiology Centers Directory located below can be used as a reference for finding the appropriate follow up for your baby.
- As your baby gets older, a pediatric audiologist may be able to see them. The Pediatric Audiology Centers Directory located below can be used as a reference for finding the appropriate follow up for your baby.
- Even if your baby passes the newborn hearing screen, their hearing can change. A baby can develop a hearing loss after birth because of middle ear infections or fluid in the middle ear. There are several risk indicators that may lead to a hearing loss in your baby. Family history or illness such as meningitis can also affect hearing. Your baby may need to have their hearing tested on a regular basis to monitor any changes in hearing levels. Please contact your baby's medical provider to determine if further testing is needed.
Accessing Services
Hearing screening is required by Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 5, Part 9, Sections 901-906, Rules and Regulations 1200-15-01 (Claire’s Law, July 2008). Claire’s Law requires that babies receive a hearing screening prior to hospital discharge or before one (1) month of age, with allowable religious exemptions.
Screening services are provided by all birthing hospitals, select birth centers, and midwives. These services can be offered by hospital staff or by contracted vendors selected by the hospital. Most insurance covers hearing screening. However, if the hearing screening service vendor provided by your birthing facility is not a covered provider by your insurance, you have the option to have your baby screened at select audiology facilities across the state that serve infants. Ask your birthing facility and/or your child’s pediatrician for additional information. We recommend asking for the name of the hearing screening service if you are not provided information prior to hearing screening on your baby.
For more information on audiology providers across the state, please use the Infant and Pediatric Audiology Centers Directories linked below.
If your baby was not born in a hospital, contact your primary care provider to receive a referral for a hearing screening. The Infant Audiology Centers Directory (below) can be used as a reference for finding services for your baby.
As babies get older, a pediatric audiologist may be able to see them. The Pediatric Audiology Centers Directory (below) can be used as a reference for finding the appropriate follow up for your baby.