Newborn hearing screenings and early intervention

• Have an immediate family member with permanent childhood hearing loss
• Are exposed to certain infections before, during or after birth that are associated with hearing loss
• Develop a differently shaped head, ears or face, including cleft lip or palate, and ear pits or tags
• Have a family history of syndromes associated with hearing loss
• Are given medications that can cause hearing loss when taken for an extended period
• Need mechanical ventilation for an extended time and/or spend more than five days in a neonatal intensive care unit
• Are born with a low birth weight, defined as below 3 pounds, 3 ounces
• Have a blood transfusion due to severe jaundice
• Have low APGAR scores, defined as 0 to 4 one minute after birth or 0 to 6 five minutes after birth
• Have extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or heart-lung bypass
• Suffer head trauma

Why is hearing screening for newborns so important?

Babies who can’t hear well have difficulty developing speech and language. Studies show that children who receive intervention services by the time they are 6 months old have the best chance of developing good speech and language skills. 

An audiologist can use a diagnostic hearing evaluation to determine the best way to help a child. Early intervention could include the use of sign language, hearing aids and therapy to encourage the development of language and speech.

Hearing, speech and language milestones

It’s important to monitor a baby’s hearing and speech-language development. Here’s what to look for in the first year of a child’s life.

Birth to 3 months

• Startles to loud sounds
• Recognizes your voice and calms or smiles when you speak
• Makes sounds like “ohh” and “ahh” or coos
• Cries differently for different needs and wants

3 to 6 months

• Looks in the direction of sounds
• Attends to music and sound-making toys
• Babbles with more speech-like sounds such as “p” and “m”
• Laughs or vocalizes excitement or dislike

7 months to 1 year

• Enjoys interactive games such as peek-a-boo
• Turns and looks toward a sound
• Listens while you talk
• Recognizes everyday words and commands such as “cup,” “milk” and “come here”
• Uses hand gestures to communicate
• Uses one to two words around first birthday

Pediatric audiology

At Swedish, a variety of audiology services for children are available:

• Newborn screenings
• Evaluation of the different parts of the ear
• Auditory brainstem response testing for infants
• Play testing for infants and children

If a child does have hearing loss, the Swedish audiology team can help with amplification devices. Options could include: 

• Hearing aids
• Bone-anchored hearing devices
• Cochlear implants
• Assistive listening devices

Our audiologists also can help families with referrals for medical evaluation of hearing loss and early intervention services.

Find a doctor

If you have questions about your infant’s hearing, contact Pediatrics or Audiology Services at Swedish. We can accommodate both in-person and virtual visits.

Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Swedish Virtual Care connects you face-to-face with a nurse practitioner who can review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. If you need to find a doctor, you can use our provider directory.

Join our Patient and Family Advisory Council.

This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your health care professional's instructions.

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