Menu
Hearing First
Person Icon
Hearing First Logo
Hearing First
  • Family Community
  • Professional Community
  • User
  • Site
  • Search
  • User
  • Get Started Here
    • Get Started Here
    • Overview
    • Testing Your Child's Hearing
      • Testing Your Child's Hearing
      • Overview
      • Newborn Hearing Screening
      • How to Test Your Child's Hearing
    • Hearing Devices & Technology
      • Hearing Devices & Technology
      • Overview
      • Make the Most of Your Child's Technology
    • Listening & Spoken Language
      • Listening & Spoken Language
      • Overview
      • The Science of LSL
      • What LSL Takes
    • Your Care Team
      • Your Care Team
      • Overview
      • Meet the Professionals
      • What to Look for in Early Intervention
      • How to Find LSL Services
      • Covering Costs
  • Hear What's Possible
    • Hear What's Possible
    • Overview
    • LSL Life: Stories of Hope
      • LSL Life: Stories of Hope
      • Overview
      • Destined to Dance
      • One Family's Farm Life
      • A Bright, Talkative Toddler
      • One Mom's Miracle
      • Social Butterfly and Advocate for Others
      • A Little Brother with a Big Personality
      • Keeping His Family’s Culture
      • Big Sister, Big Reader, and BIG Dreamer
      • Proof Persistence Pays Off
      • Unstoppable Sisters
      • Creative, Spirited Young Girl
      • Never a Quiet Moment
    • Listening In: Stories from Young Adults
    • Powering Potential Podcast
    • Life with Hearing Loss
    • Listening Project
  • What's Next For Families
    • What's Next For Families
    • Overview
    • First LSL Lessons
    • What To Do Next
      • What To Do Next
      • Overview
      • Use Your Everyday Routines
      • Practice LSL Strategies & Tips
    • Building Literacy Skills Early
      • Building Literacy Skills Early
      • Overview
      • Read Aloud Every Day
      • Sing & Rhyme Together
      • Make Experience Books
    • Navigating New Experiences
      • Navigating New Experiences
      • Overview
      • Baby
      • Toddler
      • Preschooler
      • School-Age
    • Family Support Community
    • Living LSL: Webinars for Families
  • For Professionals
    • For Professionals
    • Overview
    • Learn with Hearing First
      • Learn with Hearing First
      • Overview
      • Course Catalog
      • Audiology
      • Tips & FAQs
    • Professional Learning Community
  • Articles
  • Resources
Learn & Connect Articles

The Results Are In: What to Do After a Newborn Hearing Screening

Article | 3 min read
Familiar Sounds Audiogram eBook
Learn More
LSL in Your Inbox

Stay current with the latest LSL news

Subscribe Now

Chances are, you hadn’t thought much about a newborn hearing screening until now. Of all the things on your mind for delivery and the early days of a baby’s life, hearing loss is rarely on a new parent’s radar. Despite the fact that it’s actually the single most common birth anomaly. So first — if all of this is new to you — take a deep breath. You’re not alone. 

Why does hearing matter? And why this early? 

Good hearing provides a clear pathway for sound to travel through the ears to the brain. It’s important for many reasons. Your baby’s brain needs sound right away in order to activate the auditory pathways. Think of it like touching a phone or computer to get it to “wake up.” Sound helps grow connections in the brain that will allow a child to begin learning, which sets up the building blocks to speaking later. 

If their hearing isn’t working, it's like there's an obstruction and sound cannot reach the brain to form connections. If hearing loss has “blocked” the brain’s access to sound — you want to know as soon as possible. You don’t want your baby to miss out on the sounds and spoken language that surround them now. Missing those early sounds can create problems for speech, language, and reading development later.

A newborn hearing screening, completed as soon after birth as possible, is the first step to making sure your baby’s brain is getting the information it needs to develop. 

What is a newborn hearing screening and how does it work? 

A newborn hearing screening is a simple, gentle test done in the hospital to check your baby’s hearing. In most states, that test is given shortly after birth. In fact, more than 97% of all newborn babies in the U.S. receive a hearing screening automatically. 

Before you leave the hospital, make sure your baby has had their hearing screening and that you know the results. If for some reason the screening was not done in the hospital, reach out to your pediatrician to get one scheduled within their first month after birth. 

What happens if a baby doesn’t pass the newborn hearing screening? 

Referral  

First, he or she will be referred for further testing within the first month after birth to determine what is going on in their ear. Some hospitals provide rescreening, while others may refer you to a pediatric audiologist for more comprehensive hearing testing. Consider scheduling a follow-up appointment before you leave the hospital. The hospital screening program or attending pediatrician can point you in the right direction for services in your area. 

Rescreening and further testing 

It’s important that you respond quickly to schedule a rescreening or further testing. You do not want to wait. If your baby needs hearing technology to get auditory information to their brain, it needs to happen quickly. If hearing loss is blocking sound from reaching the brain

If hearing loss has blocked the brain's access to sound… 

There are medical and technological ways to get auditory information (the information that sound conveys) to your baby’s brain. Babies with hearing loss can be fitted with a hearing aid or cochlear implant to help them hear as early as 7 days after birth — and they should receive help within the first 90 days. 

Act fast! 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend being fitted as soon as possible and no later than 3 months of age. Many hearing professionals recommend getting fitted within 6 weeks after birth in order to activate the baby’s auditory brain pathways. Act quickly so your baby will not miss out on early experiences that are key to successful listening and early brain development.

Related Resources

Playful Tips to Make a Splash in Your Child’s Development

Let’s Play the LSL Way: Water Fun Did you know that playtime is how little ones learn? It’s true! During...

Article 4 min read
Backyard Adventures and Outdoor Fun for Listening and Learning

Let’s Play the LSL Way: Backyard Fun Playing outside offers little ones so much: fresh air and sunshine...

Article 4 min read
The Magic of Music and Playtime for Little Ones with Hearing Loss

Let’s Play the LSL Way: Musical Fun There’s a reason babies and young children LOVE music! Songs and...

Article 4 min read
Your First Step Starts with First LSL Lessons

Your journey begins with First LSL Lessons – designed to equip parents with the knowledge and confidence...

Article 4 min read
Telling My Baby’s Hearing Story

This worksheet helps you put your child's hearing story into words, making it easier to share with others...

Handout 2 min read
Daily Hearing Aid Care Checklist

Your consistency in keeping your baby’s hearing aids on and working makes a BIG difference for their...

Handout 2 min read
Your Baby’s Daily Hearing Aid Routine: A Step-By-Step Guide

Download this simple guide to your baby’s daily hearing aid routine to provide you with reminders and...

Handout 4 min read

Connect with parents who have been down this path before.

Remember, you’re not alone on this journey. Thousands of parents have been in your shoes. Find other parents who can share from experience, offer encouragement, and help your family reach your LSL goals.

Learn More
 

Sign In or Register

In order to save content, you need an account. Set up is quick and easy! If you're already a member - sign in here.

Register as a Professional Register as a Family Member
Hearing First Logo
  • About Hearing First
  • Starts Hear
  • Family Support Community
  • Professional Learning Community
  • Learning Experiences
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • Celebrate LSL
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
©2025 Hearing First, LLC. All rights reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Policy Using Hearing First Resources Code of Conduct