Hearing that your baby did not pass the newborn hearing screening can be confusing, especially when everything else seems to be going well.
One of the first questions many parents have is simple: Why didn’t my baby pass?
There is not one clear answer to this question. A newborn hearing screening can be affected by temporary conditions, the testing environment, or a hearing loss. The screening itself cannot tell you which one is responsible for the result.
That is why additional testing is so important.
A Hearing Screening Is Not a Diagnosis
A newborn hearing screening is meant to identify babies who may need a closer look at their hearing.
Think of it as a first check rather than a final answer.
If your baby did not pass, it does not mean the screening has confirmed hearing loss. It means a pediatric audiologist needs to do additional testing to determine whether or not a hearing loss is present.
Temporary Conditions Can Affect the Screening
Newborn hearing screenings are very sensitive.
For the equipment to collect a clear response, your baby generally needs to be quiet or asleep, and the equipment needs a clear path to measure the response from the ear and hearing system.
Temporary factors that can affect screening results may include:
- Fluid in the middle ear
- Debris in the ear canal
- Movement or crying during the screening
- Difficulty getting a secure fit with the screening equipment
- These are some of the reasons a baby can receive a “did not pass” result without ultimately being diagnosed with permanent hearing loss.
The Screening May Also Detect a Hearing Loss
Sometimes the screening is doing exactly what it is intended to do: identifying a baby who has a hearing loss.
Hearing losses can range from mild to profound and may affect one ear or both ears.
The initial screening cannot tell parents the type or degree of hearing loss. A diagnostic auditory brainstem response (ABR) is needed to answer those questions.
What If Only One Ear Did Not Pass?
Your baby still needs the recommended follow-up testing.
Hearing in each ear matters, and a diagnostic evaluation allows an audiologist to gather information about each ear separately.
Do not assume that testing is unnecessary because your baby passed the screening in one ear.
What If My Baby Responds to Sounds?
Parents spend more time with their babies than anyone, so it is natural to watch for clues at home.
You may see your baby startle, turn toward you, or calm when hearing your voice. However, those behaviors cannot show how softly your baby hears, how both ears hear separately, or how your baby responds to different pitches.
If they did not pass their newborn hearing screening, your baby will still need an ABR even when you see responses to sound at home.
How Can We Find Out for Sure?
A pediatric audiologist can complete diagnostic testing to better understand your baby’s hearing.
At Texas Hearing Institute, an Auditory Brainstem Response, or ABR, evaluation can measure how your baby’s hearing system responds to different sounds while your baby sleeps.
The test helps our audiologists determine whether a hearing loss is present and provides information that can guide the next steps for your family.
Getting Answers Early Matters
There is no need to guess why your baby did not pass the screening.
The recommended next step is to schedule the diagnostic ABR and get the information you need.
If hearing loss is ruled out, you can move forward with greater clarity. If a hearing loss is identified, finding it early gives your family more time to learn about your options and connect with the services that fit your child’s needs and your family’s communication goals.
Ready for the Next Hearing Test?
Texas Hearing Institute’s pediatric audiologists can help determine what your baby’s newborn hearing screening result means.
Request an appointment with the Texas Hearing Institute Audiology Department or call (713) 337-6414 to learn more.
