Hearing loss is the most common congenital condition in the United States. Approximately one to three babies out of 1,000 will be born with permanent hearing loss. Additionally, another 2 to 3 out of 1,000 will acquire a hearing loss after birth. Primary care physicians play a critical role in identifying and caring for children with hearing loss.

Newborns should receive a hearing screening test by one month of age. Hospitals and birth centers perform hearing screening tests on newborns before discharge or as an outpatient. The hospitals and birth centers send hearing screening results to the primary care physician that is identified by the hospital/birth center as caring for the newborn.

Infants that have not passed the newborn hearing screening test should be referred to an audiologist for diagnostic testing by 3 months of age. If an infant is diagnosed with a hearing loss, the child should be connected with Early Intervention services by 6 months of age.

Listen to the October 26, 2010 Webinar "Sound Beginnings: Changing the World for Children with Hearing Loss" presented by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Click here to to access Webinar video.

Slides of the AAP Webinar
"Sound Beginnings: Changing the World for Children with Hearing Loss" (PDF)