Understanding the NHS Newborn Hearing Test for Your Baby

Your baby’s newborn hearing test is an important part of the UK’s early health checks, designed to spot possible hearing issues as early as possible. As part of the NHS newborn hearing screening and other newborn screening tests, this quick check supports early help if it’s ever needed. Around 1–2 babies in every 1,000 are born with permanent hearing loss in one or both ears, and most are born into families with no history of hearing loss. The hearing screening newborn appointment is usually done in the first few weeks of life and is designed to be quick and painless.

You can also explore newborn baby care and newborn baby development for more support in the early weeks.

When Will My Baby Have Their NHS Hearing Test?

The NHS newborn hearing screening is typically offered shortly after birth. If your baby is born in hospital, the baby hearing test may be offered before you go home. If you have a home birth or leave hospital quickly, a health visitor or local screening team will arrange the hearing screening newborn appointment within the first few weeks, and you’ll be contacted by your local service.

Ideally, screening happens within 4–5 weeks of birth, but it can be done up to 3 months of age. If you haven’t been offered an appointment, ask your health visitor, GP, or local audiology department. Babies who have spent more than 48 hours in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) follow a slightly different pathway because the risk of permanent hearing loss is higher (around 1 in 100).

For more on early milestones, see your newborn baby’s development and milestones.

What Happens During the Newborn Hearing Test?

If you’re wondering baby hearing test what to expect, it may help to know the screening is designed to be gentle and stress-free for your baby.

The AOAE Test (first test)

The automated otoacoustic emission (AOAE) test is usually the first step of the newborn hearing test and takes just a few minutes. A small soft-tipped earpiece is placed in your baby’s ear and quiet clicking sounds are played. A healthy inner ear produces a faint echo in response, which the earpiece picks up. The test is completely painless and works best when your baby is settled or asleep.

If a second test is needed

Sometimes a clear response isn’t recorded the first time, and this is common. Reasons can include background noise, your baby being unsettled, or temporary fluid in the ear. If no clear response is recorded, the screener may offer a second test: either another AOAE or the automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) test.

The AABR test uses 3 small sensors on your baby’s head and neck, with soft headphones over the ears. Clicking sounds are played again and the equipment measures how your baby’s brain responds to sound. It usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes. Both tests are safe and will not hurt your baby.

If you have questions about hygiene, here’s how how to clean your baby’s ears safely.

What Do the Newborn Hearing Test Results Mean?

Getting baby hearing test results can feel like a big moment, but most outcomes are reassuring. A newborn hearing test clear response in both ears means your baby is unlikely to have permanent hearing loss, and this is the most common result. You’ll usually be told the outcome straight away after the screening.

If a newborn hearing test no clear response is recorded in one or both ears, it does not necessarily mean permanent hearing loss. A newborn hearing test referral will be made so your baby can be seen at an audiology clinic, usually within 4 weeks. The specialist appointment often lasts 1–2 hours and includes time to settle your baby.

It’s also important to remember that a clear response does not detect every type of hearing change, so keep an eye on your baby’s development using the checklists in your baby's red book.

What Happens if My Baby Is Referred to a Hearing Specialist?

If you’ve been told your baby needs a follow-up after their baby hearing test, it’s natural to feel anxious. A newborn hearing test referral does not mean there is definitely a hearing problem - many babies referred go on to have normal hearing confirmed after further checks.

At the audiology clinic, an audiologist will do more detailed tests to understand your baby’s hearing. These tests are also painless, and you can stay with your baby throughout. The appointment typically takes 1–2 hours, including time to feed or settle your baby so they stay calm.

To make the visit easier, try feeding your baby shortly beforehand and bring anything that helps comfort them. You may also want a partner, friend, or family member there for support. The audiologist will usually explain results at the end and advise whether further tests are needed. If permanent hearing loss is confirmed, early support is available, and early diagnosis gives your baby the best chance to develop speech, language, and communication skills.

Some parents search online for “what happens if baby fails hearing test,” but NHS results are usually described as “clear response” or “no clear response,” and follow-up is simply the next step to get clarity.