NORTHEAST ONTARIO INFANT HEARING PROGRAM
4 in 1,000 babies in Ontario will have a hearing loss at birth or before the age of five.
Permanent hearing loss can cause delays in your baby’s language development, lead to behavioural and emotional challenges, as well as problems in school. When a hearing loss is found early, it gives your baby the best start in life, providing them with the support they need to learn to communicate.
How to get your baby's hearing screened
Hearing screens are offered at Sault Area Hospital and other clinic locations across the District of Algoma. If your baby did not have their hearing screened in hospital, or your baby requires a follow up hearing screen, you will be contacted to schedule this appointment.
Midwives and birthing hospitals are responsible for sending us your contact information. If you do not hear from us within 2 weeks after the birth of your baby, call us to make sure we have received your referral.
It is best to have your baby screened before they are 1 month old.
This screening can only be completed on babies 8 weeks old and under. The screening does not hurt your baby in any way.
Sault Ste Marie and District 705-759-3434 ext. 2644
Blind River, Elliot Lake and District 705-759-1131 ext. 403
Wawa and District-705-759-1131 ext. 268
How to prepare for your baby’s hearing screen
To prepare your baby for the hearing screen:
- avoid putting lotion on your baby’s head or behind their ears on the day of the screen
- feed your baby just before the appointment
- be prepared to feed your baby during the appointment
- bring your baby sleeping or resting quietly in a car seat
When you go for the screen, do not forget to bring:
- baby’s Ontario health card number (if available)
- a blanket and other items to calm your baby
- be prepared to feed baby in the appointment if necessary
- extra diapers and clothes
How the hearing screening works
A soft tip is placed in your baby’s ear and if needed, small stickers (electrodes) are placed on your baby’s head. The screen will measure your baby’s response to soft sounds played in their ear- their response will not be visible
The test is reliable and will not hurt your baby. There’s no fee for the test and you will get the results right away.
What to do if your baby has missed their newborn hearing screen?
The newborn hearing screening is the standard of care in Ontario.
Some parents might choose to not have their babies hearing screened. For these families, it will be very important that parents monitor their child’s development and watch for signs of hearing loss.
Please visit this link SLP Milestones to monitor if your child is meeting their developmental milestones.
If they are not meeting one or more of these milestones, please contact our
Preschool Speech and Language Program at 705-759-1131 ext. 650
It is important to monitor your child’s hearing. Hearing loss can be difficult for parents and physicians to detect in young children. If you have concerns regarding your child’s hearing, follow up with your family doctor. You may need to remind them that your child did not get their hearing screening at the time of their birth.
Some potential indicators of hearing loss in an infant or toddler might include:
- Does not react to loud sounds
- Does not seek out or detect where sound is coming from
(Does not turn their head to follow familiar voices or sounds) - Has stopped babbling and experimenting with making sounds
- Still babbles but is not using clear words or understandable speech
- Does not react to voices, even when being held
What to expect if your baby has hearing loss
If your baby is identified with permanent hearing loss, our Infant Hearing Program audiologist will help you understand what supports and services are available.
This could include:
- how the hearing loss may affect your baby
- how technology may help your baby hear
- what services and support are available to help your baby