Bedfordshire and Luton Children's Audiology

Our newborn hearing screening service helps the early detection of mild, moderate, severe and profound permanent hearing loss. Our services are available for families registered with a GP or live in Bedfordshire and Luton.

We screen newborn babies from birth to 4 weeks old. Most of the babies are screened before they are discharged from the hospital. If your baby was born at home or we are unable to screen your baby at the hospital, an appointment will be made at a community clinic.

Infants who did not get a clear response during their hearing screening will be referred to a hospital for a formal hearing test. This is to find out more about their potential hearing loss. 

We will refer infants who are at risk for permanent hearing loss but have clear responses during their hearing screening to the appropriate audiology service. The baby will need to get a follow-up at 8 months old. 

If you have recently moved to Bedfordshire and Luton, your baby may be eligible for a newborn hearing if your baby:

• has not had a hearing screening elsewhere
• is less than 3 months old

Our community children's audiology service provides hearing assessments and advice. We identify temporary and permanent hearing impairment in children and young people. We work with children and young people in Bedfordshire and Luton.

We carry out hearing assessments such as:

• targeted newborn hearing screening follow-up appointments
• hearing screenings for children in their first year of school