If your baby did not pass their newborn hearing screening, you probably have questions. You may be wondering what the results mean, whether your baby has hearing loss, and what you are supposed to do next.
The most important thing to know is that not passing a newborn hearing screening does not automatically mean your baby has hearing loss. A screening is designed to identify babies who need more testing. It is not a diagnosis.
The next step is to make sure your baby receives a comprehensive hearing evaluation so you can get clear answers.
What Does “Did Not Pass” or “Refer” Mean?
Most babies have their hearing screened shortly after birth. Unlike a hearing test for an older child or adult, your baby does not need to respond to sounds or raise a hand during the screening.
Instead, special equipment measures how parts of your baby’s hearing system respond to sound.
If the screening does not get the response needed in one or both ears, the result may be recorded as “did not pass” or “refer.” That simply means more testing is needed to determine whether or not the baby has a hearing loss.
Why Might a Baby Not Pass the Hearing Screening?
There are several possible reasons why a baby might not pass their newborn hearing screening.
Sometimes temporary conditions can affect a newborn hearing screening. Fluid or debris in the ear, movement or crying , or other testing conditions can make it difficult to get a clear result.
In other cases, the screening may be catching a hearing loss that needs further evaluation.
Because there is no way to know the reason from the screening alone, scheduling a diagnostic hearing evaluation is important even if your baby seems to respond to sounds at home.
What Should I Do Next?
If your baby did not pass the newborn hearing screening, it is important to schedule an Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) evaluation with a pediatric audiologist as soon as possible.
A pediatric audiologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in evaluating and treating hearing loss for babies and children.
Pediatric audiologists use the ABR to help determine how your baby’s hearing system responds to sound. Your baby needs to sleep during the test, and the evaluation does not require them to respond to sounds.
The results can help determine whether your baby has a hearing loss and, if so, the type and degree.
When Should My Baby Be Tested?
Early Hearing Detection and Intervention guidelines use an easy timeline called 1-3-6 to determine when your baby should ideally receive audiological care:
- By 1 month: Babies should have a newborn hearing screening.
- By 3 months: Babies who did not pass the newborn hearing screening, or have other risk factors for hearing loss, should receive a diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) evaluation.
- By 6 months: If hearing loss is identified, families should be connected with appropriate early intervention services and communication support.
These recommendations are designed to give families answers and access to support during an important period of early development.
If your baby is already older than three months, it is still important to schedule an evaluation. The best next step is simply to make the appointment as soon as you can.
What If My Baby Seems to Hear Me?
You may notice your baby startles at loud sounds, calms when you speak, or reacts to noises around the house.
Those responses can be encouraging, but they cannot tell you exactly what your baby hears.
An ABR gives your audiologist much more detailed information.
You Don’t Have to Figure Out the Next Step Alone
Texas Hearing Institute specializes in pediatric hearing care. Our team works with babies, children, and their families to identify hearing loss as early as possible and help families understand what comes next.
If your baby did not pass the newborn hearing screening, we can help you get answers.
Schedule Your Baby’s Hearing Evaluation
Request an appointment with the Texas Hearing Institute Audiology Department or call (713) 337-6414 to learn more.
