WISH Program - Newborn Screening

Telethon Speech & Hearing offers hearing screening testing for all babies born at a network of private hospitals in Western Australia. The testing is offered through the WA Infant Screening for Hearing (WISH) Program. The test is quick and painless and most babies sleep through the test. It can be performed anytime from six hours after birth and provides immediate results. 

One to two babies in 1000 are born with a hearing loss in both ears. Hearing loss is an invisible impairment but is easily detectable by this non-invasive, simple screening test. 

Early diagnosis of hearing loss is the key to a successful early intervention. Babies whose hearing losses are detected early can get quick access to further testing, diagnosis and early intervention services and parents can be given support and information as soon as possible.

50% of babies with a hearing loss have no risk factors so it is vital for all babies to be screened at birth.

To find out more about hearing screening and how the testing is conducted, please watch our information DVD below: 

Hearing screening tested is offered by Telethon Speech & Hearing at the following hospitals:

If your baby was not tested at the hospital or your child was not born at one of the participating hospitals, you can still have the hearing screening test for babies up to 3 months old at our Centre in Wembley. If your child is older than 3 months, we can test them using different types of testing to the screening testing. Phone us on (08) 9387 9831 to book an appointment.

You can also download the WISH Program brochure here.

Information for parents: what to expect if your child does not pass the hearing screening

Some babies do not pass the newborn hearing screening test. There are a number of reasons for this and so it is important to ensure that your baby has a second screnning if this occurs.

If your baby doesn't pass the screening for a second time then they are referred to the Centre for a full diagnostic test with a university qualified audiologist. 

This does not mean your baby definitely has a hearing loss but that further investigation is needed to be sure of what is happening in your baby's ears. You will be given an appointment for diagnostic testing by the screener in the hospital or will be contacted by TSH with an appointment time. After this, and prior to the appointment, you will be contacted to discuss any concerns that you may have and to provide you with further information on what to expect.

Diagnostic testing is a long process because each part of the ear is individually tested to ascertain how it is working. The testing can take up to 3 hours so it is important to bring along anything that will make this time more comfortable for you. Ideally your baby should sleep for this testing.

On the day of testing, you will first have a meeting to discuss what has happened and to allow you to ask any additional questions that you may have. 

Testing will take place in an audiolgical booth which is a quiet and slightly darkened room. You can sit with your baby throughout testing. All babies may become unsettled at some time during this appointment so time is allowed for feeding, changing and comforting.

  • Otoscopic Examination - involves looking into the ear canal with an ear torch called an otoscope to enable the audiologist to see the ear canal and ear drum. This can also show the presence of wax and foreign objects. 

  • High frequency Tympanometry - measures the movement of the ear drum and if the middle ear is healthy. It helps identify middle ear problems consistent with fluid build up such as glue ear. This test is quick and simple to perform. 

  • Diagnostic Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) Testing - tests the inner part of the ear. It involves placing a soft ear tip in the outer part of your baby's ear; which puts in a soft clicking sound, and a response from the inner ear is measured. This response is picked up by a sensitive microphone in the probe. 

  • Electrophysiological test battery - This involves placing small electrodes on your baby’s forehead, and neck to record electrical impulses to the hearing nerve. There are a number of tests which can be performed, depending on how well your baby settles and on test results. The audiologist will decide which test is most likely to give a clear picture of your baby’s hearing.

If you have any concerns or questions before or after your diagnostic appointment please don’t hesitate to contact the Audiology Department on 9387 9831.