All Maine hospitals with birth facilities offer newborn hearing screening before babies go home. A hearing screening is a test to tell if an infant might have a hearing loss. Hearing loss can affect a child's ability to develop communication, language, and learning. Hearing screening is quick, easy, and does not hurt.
The screening method used at birth facilities is Automated Auditory Brainstem Response. Small sensors are placed on the baby's head and earphones are used. Soft sounds are presented while your baby sleeps naturally.
Hearing loss is the most commonly occurring disorder in infants in the U.S. and affects about 1 to 3 out of 1,000 babies born each year. Genetic factors are the cause of hearing loss in some babies, particularly those with a family history of hearing loss. Delayed detection of hearing loss can lead to communication, social, psychological, behavioral and educational challenges. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends all infants be screened by 1 month of age, diagnosed by 3 months of age, and receive early intervention services no later than 6 months of age.
Earliest Interactions is a program of the Maine Newborn Hearing Program, Maine’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program that supports Families of children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) through their journeys, from screening to identification, to early intervention and beyond. Resources are also available to Professionals navigating services and supports for DHH children and their families.
Maine's EHDI Team, through Health Resources Administration (HRSA) funding, has created and compiled comprehensive resources for Families and Professionals who find themselves exploring screening identification, and DHH intervention services.
To learn more contact Anne Banger, Newborn Hearing Coordinator
Tel: (207) 287-8427
Email: anne.banger@maine.gov
TTY: Maine relay 711
Fax: (207) 287-4743
Resources
Resources for Professionals
- Screening Facilities/Midwives
- Primary Care Providers
- Audiologists
- Prenatal Information
- Newborn Hearing Screening
- Parent and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adult Support
- Medical Home
- Audiology
- Early Intervention
- Kindergarten Readiness
- Laws & Language Access
- Videos
- Local Connections
- National Connections
- Financial Resources
Resources for Families
- Prenatal Information
- Newborn Hearing Screening
- Parent and Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adult Support
- Audiology
- Early Intervention
- Kindergarten Readiness
- Laws and Language Access
- Videos
- Medical Home
- Local Connections
- National Connections
- Financial Resources
Order Brochures
Maine Newborn Hearing Screening Annual Data Briefs
Email anne.banger@maine.gov for older data briefs