Relevant Population Characteristics for Newborn Hearing Screening

Relevant Population Characteristics

All hospitals and birth attendants are required to participate in newborn hearing screening by legislative mandate. Hospital programs have screening equipment on site and do a very good job of screening babies prior to discharge. For babies who require follow-up, completion rates are dependent upon individual hospital commitment, location, and patient demographics. Actual screening rates for home births reflect local availability, cost, and convenience for families. Home birth hearing projects have increased out-of-hospital screening rates from 23% in 2007 to more than 95% in 2022.