Newborn Hearing Screening

Your baby will be offered a series of routine health checks in the first few weeks of life. This will include a Hearing Screening test. The test uses quick and simple methods to check the hearing of all newborn babies.

Why screen my baby’s hearing? 

One to two babies in every 1,000 are born with a hearing loss in one or both ears. It is not easy to identify that a young baby has a hearing loss. This hearing screen will allow those babies who do have a hearing loss to be identified early. Early identification is known to be important for the development of the child. It also means that support and information can be provided to parents at an early stage.

What does the test involve? 

A trained hearing screener carries out the hearing test. They place a small soft tipped earpiece in the outer part of your baby’s ear, which sends clicking sounds down the ear. When an ear receives sound, the inner part known as the cochlea usually produces an echo. The screening equipment picks up this response. The screening test only takes a few minutes and you can stay with your baby while the test is done. The results will be given to you at the time of the screening test.

Do I pay? 

The NHS Newborn Hearing Screening program ensures all parents are offered hearing screening for their new child within the first few weeks of life. It is a core service within the NHS in England and part of the family of Antenatal and Newborn Screening Programs. The screen is free of charge.

The Team 

The screening team consists of:

• Team Leader – Kay Gammage, Divisional Manager, Women, Children and Sexual Health.

• NHSP Local Co-ordinator – Carolyn Pursey  

• Senior Newborn Hearing Screener - Emma Dufosee

• Senior Newborn Hearing Screener - Anne Scott

• Senior Newborn Hearing Screener - Maria Lloyd

• Senior Newborn Hearing Screener - Michelle Groves

• Senior Newborn Hearing Screener - Roseline Wood

Working Hours 

• Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford
  7am to 6pm (Monday to Friday) and
  8am to 4pm (Saturday and Sunday)

• St Peters Hospital, Maldon
  Every Thursday 8.00am - 4.00pm.

• WJC Hospital, Braintree
  Every Tuesday 8.00am - 4.00pm.

• Spinks Lane Therapy services, Witham
  Every other Monday 8.00am - 4.00pm.

• Springfield Green clinic (Chelmsford) - 9am - 4pm 1st Monday of the month and 1st Friday of the month and 8am - 12 o'clock 3rd Thursday of the month.

• Moulsham Lodge clinic (Chelmsford) - 9 am - 4pm Wednesdays weekly and 9am - 4 pm 2nd and 4th Friday of the month.

• South Woodham Ferrers clinic (South Woodham Ferrers) - 1.30pm - 4pm Every other Monday alternate to Witham clinic.

Click on the location name above to get information on how to get to the Hospital or Clinic site.

If you have any further Questions please do not hesitate to call the above number or email : Newborn.Hearing@meht.nhs.uk