Newborn Hearing Screening: A Vital Check for Every Baby

September 2, 2025

(Rockville, MD) September is Newborn Screening Awareness Month, and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is using the observance to educate families about hearing screenings-one of the first health checks that babies receive after birth.

In the United States, all babies should undergo newborn screening (NBS) that has three components: (1) hearing screening, (2) heart screening, and (3) blood screening. NBS checks for potentially serious conditions that benefit from early treatment or intervention. Roughly 4 million U.S. babies are screened every year, according to the March of Dimes.

About 1 in 500 babies in the United States is born deaf or hard of hearing. The majority (90%) are born to parents with typical hearing, which makes a hearing loss diagnosis unexpected for most families. Before universal newborn hearing screening was standard practice, hearing loss usually wasn't identified until a child's toddler years, when developmental delays often first become apparent. Unfortunately, late detection can have long-term consequences.

"Talking, singing, and signing with young children fuels their brain and communication development," explained Donna Fisher Smiley, PhD, CCC-A, ASHA chief staff officer for audiology. "If an undetected hearing loss causes a child to miss out on exposure to language, they could experience short- and long-term consequences-including speech and language delays, learning challenges, social difficulties, and reduced career opportunities."

She continued: "All children deserve a strong foundation. You can't repeat those first few years of life, when 80% of brain development occurs. This is why early hearing screening is so critical."

National 1-3-6 Guidelines

Health experts promote the 1-3-6 framework for hearing loss identification and intervention:

• By 1 month: All babies should have a hearing screening. If a child doesn't pass this screening, they should be referred to an audiologist for further testing.
• By 3 months: Babies who failed their screening should receive a comprehensive hearing evaluation from an audiologist to confirm whether a hearing loss is present.
• By 6 months: Babies with confirmed hearing loss should start early intervention, which includes medical, hearing, and educational support.

When babies with hearing loss are identified early and are enrolled in intervention services by 6 months of age, they can develop language and learning skills that are equal to the skills of their hearing peers by the time they start kindergarten.

Although the 1-3-6 schedule is ideal, Smiley stresses that children will gain benefits from intervention at any age. "Even if a child is well outside of this window, we always encourage parents and caregivers to act quickly on their concerns and seek out intervention and treatment services."

What Families Should Know About Newborn Hearing Screening

• Hearing screening is quick, easy, and painless. Screening is usually done while babies are sleeping or resting. Hearing screening involves testing via automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) or otoacoustic emissions (OAE)-or both. These are safe and effective ways to screen for hearing loss.
• Failing a screening doesn't necessarily mean that a baby is deaf or hard of hearing. The goal of newborn screening is to identify children who may have a particular condition such as hearing loss, but follow-up diagnostic testing is necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
• Families typically don't need to request a newborn hearing screening if a baby is born at a hospital. All babies should receive this screening before they are discharged. However, it's important to confirm with the hospital staff that this screening occurred. If you give birth outside of a hospital setting, make sure that your baby receives this screening within their first month of life.

What To Do If Your Baby Fails Their Newborn Hearing Screening

• Follow the 1-3-6 guidelines. If a baby doesn't pass the screening, be sure to make and attend the appointment with an audiologist for a full hearing evaluation. The hospital or your pediatrician can connect you with one. If hearing loss is diagnosed, follow up with the early intervention contact that the audiologist provides to you.
• Consider your options. There are many paths you can take as a family if your child is deaf or hard of hearing. The early intervention team will guide you through your options. The direction your child and family takes is based on your preferences.
• Seek additional support. Organizations such as the A.G. Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Hands and Voices offer a variety of helpful programs and services. ASHA and Lantern offer HEAR, a free texting program that connects families of children with hearing loss to trusted information and resources.

Hearing Screening Needs To Remain Available

Today, about 98% of all newborns in the United States are screened for hearing loss. However, potential cuts in federal support could make it harder for states to maintain strong screening and follow-up programs. ASHA urges families to take action this September by encouraging legislators and policymakers to highlight the value of hearing screening and fully support keeping it available. Universal screening is critical to giving every baby a strong start in life.

For more information about newborn hearing screening, visit ASHA's website.

About the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
ASHA is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for 241,000 members, certificate holders, and affiliates who are audiologists; speech-language pathologists; speech, language, and hearing scientists; audiology and speech-language pathology assistants; and students. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing and balance disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment, including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) identify, assess, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders.