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AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF

Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Logo
en español

NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING 

MONTHLY

August 2022 | Issue 18

Father smiles over a newborn baby laying on mom's chest in the labor and delivery room

Newborn Hearing Screening Scripts


When communicating newborn hearing screening test results and providing information, it is vital to make sure that families/caregivers have a positive experience with your newborn hearing screening program, that families/caregivers understand the next steps based on screening results, and that families/caregivers know how to access appropriate follow-up care if their baby doesn’t pass the screen. Newborn hearing screening results should be provided face-to-face and in writing. Following a script when communicating with families/caregivers is also very important to make sure that the information you are providing is both accurate and consistent.

View scripts in ASL

IN THIS ISSUE

Newborn Hearing Screening Scripts

Additional Resources for Professionals 

Survey Reminder

Below are some suggested scripts* for communicating information and test results about newborn hearing screening with families and caregivers. These scripts are recommended because they use clear and simple language that families/caregivers can understand. 

Informing the family/caregiver(s) about the newborn hearing screening: 

“Hi, congratulations on the birth of your baby. My name is ____________ and I am here to screen your baby’s hearing. We provide hearing screening to all babies after they are born. The hearing screening will measure how your baby responds to sound and takes just a few minutes. The test is harmless and most babies sleep through the test. We’re going to screen your baby now, but before we do, are there any questions I can answer?” 


Supporting a family/caregiver(s) that refuse the newborn hearing screening: 

“If you don't mind, I'd like to leave you with something to read that explains the benefits and the importance of newborn hearing screening. If you change your mind and decide you do want the screening, you can let your baby’s doctor know you’d like your baby’s hearing screened.” 


Informing the family/caregiver(s) that the baby passed their hearing screening: 

“Congratulations on the birth of your baby. We just finished the hearing screen. Your baby passed the hearing screening today. Even though your baby passed their hearing screening today, it is important to know that your baby’s hearing can change over time. Babies start learning how to communicate as soon as they are born. Here is a brochure that talks about how babies develop hearing and communication skills. If you are ever worried about your baby’s hearing, talk to your baby’s doctor right away and ask for a referral to a pediatric audiologist who specializes in testing infants and young children.” 


Informing the family/caregiver(s) that a baby did not pass their hearing screening in one or both ears before discharge: 

“Congratulations on the birth of your baby. We just finished the hearing screen. Your baby did not pass the screening today. This does not necessarily mean that your baby has a permanent hearing loss, but without additional testing, we can’t be sure. Not passing a hearing screening means that further testing is needed to understand what your baby hears. We will provide the screening results to your baby’s doctor and referral to a pediatric audiologist who specializes in testing infants and young children. Be sure you make and keep this appointment with the pediatric audiologist. It is important that we understand what your baby hears so we can support you and your baby and make sure your baby has the best chance of meeting important developmental milestones. 


Informing the family/caregiver(s) about an inconclusive screen: 

“We attempted to screen your baby’s hearing, but we weren’t able to complete the test. Some babies need to be screened more than once in order to get an accurate result. We will be back in a few hours to re-screen your baby.”


*Scripts were adapted from the National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management (NCHAM) Newborn Hearing Screening Training Curriculum (NHSTC 2020)

Additional Resources for Professionals

View in ASL
  • Colorado EHDI has a newborn hearing screening brochure available to share with families/caregivers. Both print and electronic versions are available. All products have English, Spanish, and ASL translations. To order copies of any of these products, visit coehdi.org/nbhs. We’ll print and mail them to you free of charge! We’ll keep you posted as we create more!


Your Feedback is Important to Us! SURVEY REMINDER

The Colorado Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (COEHDI) team has created a brief Google Survey to collect anonymous feedback about the support we have been providing to you and other support you need to make your newborn hearing screening program successful. Whether you are a newborn hearing screening coordinator, midwife, audiologist, nurse, newborn hearing screener, or other professional involved in newborn hearing screening, we would love to hear from you!

Click here to provide Feedback on the Newborn Hearing Screening Survey

CONTACT

For technical questions about hearing screening, please contact:

Hannah Glick, AuD, PhD, CCC-A

EHDI Consultant

hannah.glick@colorado.edu

303-518-2053

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