This screening test is performed within the first few days after birth and usually prior to your baby's discharge from hospital. It is performed by trained staff and takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The screening test is safe and will not hurt your baby in any way.

The instrument used will either be an Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) analyser, an Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) analyser or both. For OAE, a small ear probe is placed at the opening of your baby's ears. The instrument makes clicking sounds and the probe listens to the responses (echoes) from the baby's ears. For AABR, three jelly tab sensors are placed on the head. A soft earphone delivering clicking sounds will evoke responses from your baby which will be recorded by the instrument. The staff will inform you of the result after the test.

This means that your baby's hearing function is normal at the time of testing. However, if you have any family history of hearing loss or a child who was previously diagnosed, please inform the hearing screening personnel.

In some babies, hearing impairment may develop gradually as a result of recurrent ear infections, genetic factors or chronic illnesses. Hence, you need to be vigilant and continue to monitor the behavioural responses of your child's hearing ability according to the checklist provided in the Baby Health Booklet. If you suspect at any time that your child has a hearing problem, you should consult your doctor.