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Programs & Services


Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program - Community Screening

After the birth of your baby, a health care provider will refer your baby to a community hearing screening site.

Your baby will be referred to Community Hearing Screening if:

  • your baby is discharged from hospital or birth centre before hearing screening can take place
  • your baby is born at a hospital or birth centre that does not offer hearing screening
  • your baby is not born in a hospital or birth centre

A community screening site will call and offer a hearing screening appointment for your baby soon after their birth.

The results of your baby's hearing screening and any follow up needed will be shared with you.

Hearing screening is the best way to find out if your baby has hearing loss.

Hearing screening is quick, safe, and will not hurt your baby. Your baby's hearing is important for many areas of child and brain development. Hearing loss can delay your child's speech, learning and social skills.

For more information, visit our website.

Contact Details

Northwest Health Centre

Location Info
Rehabilitation Department
Address
11202 100 Avenue
High Level, Alberta
T0H 1Z0
Telephone
780-841-3331, 780-841-3201
Fax
780-926-3390
Hours of Operation
Days of the Week

Monday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Tuesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Wednesday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Thursday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Friday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Note

Available by appointment only.

Access
Service Providers May Include
audiologists
Eligibility

All babies born or living in Alberta are offered screening for permanent hearing loss within 90 days of birth. It's best to have your baby's hearing screened before they are 1 month old. Newborn hearing screening is free. Additional eligibility requirements are based on your baby's age and health status. If your baby is born with bilateral aural atresia or presents with meningitis, they will be referred to Audiology Services for a diagnostic ABR assessment.

Service Access

Screening service is offered at most hospital or birth centre postpartum units before discharge and by appointment at many community-based hearing screening sites.

  • a referral is not required for newborn hearing screening within 90 days of birth
  • if you are concerned about your baby's hearing after 90 days of birth, ask your health care provider to make a referral to a AHS Audiology Service site
  • babies who pass hearing screening and have risk factors for hearing loss will be referred for a follow-up hearing test at 6 to 8 months of age
  • babies who do not pass their hearing screening test will be referred for a diagnostic ABR assessment to rule out or confirm hearing loss

Healthcare providers should consult the Alberta Referral Directory for service referral information.


Service Languages
Interpreters / Translators
Partners

Partners/affiliations

Alberta Health

Service Locations
Also Known As
Acronym
EHDI