Question
When should newborn hearing screening be conducted? If the baby was not born in a major hospital and did not undergo a hearing screening, how should the arrangement be made?
Answer
Newborn hearing screening is divided into two stages:
- Initial Screening Process (Primary Screening): Typically conducted within 3 to 5 days after birth during the hospital stay.
- Second Screening Process (Re-screening): Applicable to infants who did not pass the initial screening or were marked as “suspicious” during the initial screening, as well as children with a high risk of hearing loss, such as those receiving treatment in a neonatal intensive care unit, even if they have passed the initial check. The main items for newborn hearing screening are divided into two categories:
- All normally born newborns.
- Newborns with high-risk factors for hearing impairment. It is recommended that parents arrange their baby’s hearing screening according to the above schedule to ensure the early detection and treatment of any potential issues.