In the past, many children born with a hearing impairment were not diagnosed until they were 18 months or older. However, late diagnosis of hearing loss can be detrimental to a child's language development, social skills and self-confidence.
Because of the need to identify hearing problems early, newborn babies are now given a routine hearing test as part of the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) (see below).
Sometimes, premature babies pass this test but are still felt to be in a high-risk group for hearing loss (which in these babies can come on in the first few months of life, rather than from birth). Therefore, they may be given another hearing test when they are between six and eight months old.
There will also be further opportunities to check your child’s hearing as they get older. For example:
- a child may have their hearing checked as part of their general review when they are about two-and-a-half years old
- all children will have a hearing test when they are between four and five years old as part of the school entry screening
- your GP can arrange for your child to have a hearing test at any age if you feel that their hearing is not right (see below)
The age at which routine tests or assessments are carried out may vary between different areas. Your GP or health visitor (a qualified nurse who helps families with young children) should be able to advise you.
See Hearing tests – how they are done for further information about the hearing tests that are used.
NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP)
It is not easy to identify hearing loss in babies who are too young to have a conventional hearing test (an audiogram). Screening a baby’s hearing using an otoacoustic emissions (OAE) test soon after they are born enables hearing loss to be identified at an early stage.
The OAE test is part of the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) and will be carried out within the first few weeks following birth. The hearing test will either take place in the hospital maternity unit or it will be carried out in your home by a health visitor during a routine visit. If you are not offered a screening test for your baby, you should ask your midwife, health visitor or GP to arrange one.
See the NHSP website for more information about your baby's hearing screening test.
Reporting problems to your GP
If you think your child may have a hearing problem, take them to see your GP as soon as possible. As well as the routine hearing checks mentioned above, hearing tests can be used at any time to help diagnose or rule out other health conditions.
Many children who experience hearing problems turn out to have a very common temporary condition called glue ear, which is where mucus blocks the middle ear. Less commonly, there may be other explanations for a child’s hearing difficulties, such as behavioural problems such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which is a group of behavioural symptoms that include inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
Adult hearing tests
Adults who are concerned that they are losing their hearing may also request a hearing test. There are many reasons why adults might lose their hearing other than simple age-related changes, such as ear infections or prolonged exposure to excessive noise.
You should visit your GP if you experience hearing loss in one or both ears, or if you have:
- tinnitus – ringing or buzzing in your ears
- vertigo – dizziness or loss of balance
- severe ear pain that lasts for more than 24 hours
- discharge – fluid or blood coming out of the ear
You may also need to have a hearing test if you have a head injury, because it could damage your inner ear.
