Newborn Hearing Screening
Newborn Hearing Screening at King's Mill and Newark Hospitals
The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) was introduced by the Medical Research Council to replace the health visitor distraction test after evidence suggested that the early identification of permanent childhood hearing impairment provided better outcomes for the development of communication skills and language.
The programme ensures that the hearing screen is offered to all newborns that are registered with a GP associated with CCGs in the North Nottinghamshire region, and offers to screen all newborns born at King's Mill Hospital regardless of their GP's area.
Where possible, the screen should be completed at the bedside shortly after birth, which requires a screening team well integrated into the maternity ward. Babies who are not screened while an inpatient will be offered an outpatient appointment at King's Mill or Newark Hospital.
The screen uses two different tests; Oto- Acoustic Emissions (OAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR).
To assess the child's hearing, these are used separately or in conjunction with each other, depending if the baby is well or has spent more than 48 hours in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Most babies are found to have clear responses to the screen, however, a small proportion are found to have no clear responses. These children are seen in Audiology for a diagnostic hearing test within four weeks of the original screen.
Current yield of programme
1-2:1000 well babies are born with a hearing loss and 3:1000 babies who spend more than 48 hours in NICU have a hearing loss. The screen will identify children with moderate to profound hearing loss (greater than 40dB) as they are at the most risk of related developmental problems.
If you require further information regarding newborn hearing screening, your baby's referral to Audiology services or to access our patient information leaflets, please access the links below or contact the screening team on 01623 622515, extension 3341 or 4053.
