Newborn hearing screening: programme overview
This overview of the NHS newborn hearing screening programme (NHSP) explains how a baby’s hearing is tested, and the equipment used for the tests.
Applies to England
Information for the public about newborn hearing screening screening is available on the NHS website.
It is the choice of an individual, with parental responsibility for the baby, whether or not their baby has screening.
The NHS is committed to reducing inequalities and variation in screening participation to help make sure everyone has fair and equal access to screening services.
NHS England provides information about data use and patient confidentiality in population screening programmes. Operational guidance is available to support providers of newborn hearing screening services in England.
Target population
Newborn hearing screening is offered to all babies in England, ideally within the first 4 to 5 weeks after they are born.
The test can be done for babies up to the age of 3 months.
Condition screened for
Newborn hearing screening aims to identify permanent moderate, severe and profound deafness and hearing impairment in newborn babies.
Finding out early can give these babies a better chance of developing language, speech, and communication skills.
Newborn hearing screening tests
Screening tests for you and your baby explains the newborn hearing screening tests.
Newborn hearing screening always involves the automated otoacoustic emission (AOAE) test. Some babies also need a second test, the automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) test.
The Newborn hearing screening: care pathways describe when those tests are performed for well babies and babies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
The AOAE test involves placing a small soft-tipped earpiece in the baby’s ear, after which gentle clicking sounds are played. The ear response is picked up by the screening equipment. The AOAE test takes just a few minutes.
The AABR test involves placing 3 small sensors on the baby’s forehead, nape of neck and shoulder. Soft headphones are placed over the baby’s ears and gentle clicking sounds are played. The AABR test takes between 5 and 15 minutes.
If the screening test results do not show a clear response in one or both of the baby’s ears, a referral for audiological assessment is made within 4 weeks.
Evidence base
Newborn hearing screening is one of 11 NHS national population screening programmes available in England.
The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) makes recommendations to ministers in the 4 UK countries on all aspects of population screening. It ensures that screening provides more benefit than harm, at a reasonable cost to the NHS.
Recommendations are based on internationally recognised criteria and a rigorous evidence review process.
Read the UK NSC recommendation on newborn hearing screening.
NHS England collects routine data to monitor the uptake of newborn hearing screening.
Requests for screening data and research
There are terms of reference for NHS population screening programme research advisory committees.
Commissioning
All newborn hearing screening commissioners must follow the service specification and use the supporting documents to ensure a fit for purpose programme is set up and meets the required standards.
Quality assurance
The role of the screening quality assurance service (SQAS) is to:
- assess the quality of local screening programmes
- monitor compliance with standards
- support services with improving quality
- undertake regional level quality assurance visits
The programme specific operating model for quality assurance of the antenatal and newborn screening programmes should be read in conjunction with the operating model for PHE screening quality assurance service and the relevant programme standards.
Workforce: education and training
Education and training resources are available for healthcare professionals working in newborn hearing screening.
There are also more general resources about population screening to support screening professionals in their initial training and continuing professional development (CPD).
Keep up to date
Keep up to date with what is new in the programme, including the latest guidance and good practice.
You can register to get updates on the NHS newborn hearing screening programme direct to your inbox. Follow the instructions to get emails about the pages you are interested in.
Contact the screening team
NHS England screening
Wellington House
133-155 Waterloo Road
London
SE1 8UG
Read our leaflet on screening tests for you and your baby and find out how to request alternative formats on GOV.UK.
We cannot help with media enquiries or access screening results.
Updates to this page
Last updated 8 July 2024 + show all updates
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Replaced PHE information with NHS England contact information.
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Added link to NHSP operational guidance.
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Link to NHSP video on NHS Choices.
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First published.