Newborn Hearing Tests

Newborn Hearing Tests in Central Massachusetts

UMass Memorial Health hospitals perform hearing tests on newborns before they go home. This testing is part of the state’s Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program. If this initial test indicates a potential concern, experts in our comprehensive Diagnostic Audiology Program perform specialized newborn hearing screenings.

We are a Level 1 Massachusetts Department of Public Health follow-up audiological diagnostic center for newborns who don’t pass their initial hearing test.

Understanding Congenital Hearing Loss

Congenital hearing loss that’s present at birth is uncommon. However, approximately 2 out of every 1,000 newborns have some level of hearing loss.

Causes of hearing loss in babies include:

• Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Usher syndrome and other syndromes caused by chromosome changes
• Gene changes (mutations) that may lead to a family history of hearing loss
• Infections and viruses, such as cytomegalovirus (CMG), during pregnancy
• Low birthweight or very low birth weight
• Preterm birth (prematurity)

About Newborn Hearing Screenings 

Your baby’s pediatrician or another provider may refer you to us if your baby doesn’t pass an initial in-hospital hearing test. A follow-up hearing test should occur before your baby is 3 months old. Early detection of hearing loss in babies is critical to starting treatments that help a child learn to communicate and engage in their world.

Newborn Hearing Screening: What to Expect

Your baby undergoes testing by our nationally certified hearing experts (audiologists) specializing in pediatric hearing loss. A newborn hearing test takes place while your child sleeps. You stay in the room with your baby during the test.

A newborn hearing test is painless and involves:

1. Placing sticker-type sensors (electrodes) on your baby’s head to monitor their brain activity
2. Placing soft earphones over your baby’s ears
3. Playing sounds through the earphones
4. Monitoring your baby’s brain activity in response to the sounds

Newborn Hearing Screening: How to Prepare

Our audiology team will provide instructions to help your family prepare for a newborn hearing test. For accurate results, it’s important that your baby sleeps through the test. You may need to:

• Keep your baby awake for at least two hours before the test
• Adjust your baby’s feeding schedule so they’re hungry when you arrive for the test
• Nurse or give your baby a bottle right before the test starts to help them fall asleep 
• Find childcare for other children to ensure the testing room is quiet and your baby sleeps through the test.