Infant Hearing - VIHSP - Hearing loss in children

The Process: From early screening to early intervention

Newborn screened for hearing loss

Baby referred for further testing

Audiologist performs hearing test

Tests confirm hearing loss

Early intervention - aids and implants

Early intervention services

Support

Newborn screened for hearing loss

A hearing screen is one of the routine health checks babies have soon after birth. It is a quick, simple and painless way to check the hearing of newborns. The screen is performed by trained hearing screeners using valid and reliable technology and is most often done at the baby’s bedside in the days after birth.

Baby referred to audiologist for further testing

If a clear response to sound is not obtained following two hearing screens, further hearing testing is recommended. A VIHSP coordinator will contact the family to arrange an audiology appointment.

Screening and Diagnosis Hearing loss in children

Every year, a small number of babies are born with a hearing loss. In Australia, approximately one baby in every thousand is born with a degree of permanant hearing loss in both ears each year.

A baby with a hearing loss is one that cannot hear some or all sounds due to a disruption to the hearing pathway. Early identification and assistance for children with a hearing loss is important for their development.

Key statistics for Victoria:

Between 2005-2010, 159,645 babies had their hearing screened (98% of eligible babies born in this period).*
Of these babies, approximately 1,117 (0.7%) were referred for further hearing testing.*
After testing, around half the babies referred were found to have normal hearing.*
Around 60-70 babies are born with a moderate or greater degree of hearing loss in both ears each year.

*Source: VIHSP 28 Feb 2005 - 30 Sep 2010.