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Programs & Services

Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) Program - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Screening

After the birth of your baby, if your baby is admitted to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a health care provider will offer to have your baby's hearing screened. A referral or appointment is not needed.

With your consent, your baby's hearing screening will happen before your baby leaves the hospital. 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

Foothills Medical Centre

Address
1403 29 Street NW
Calgary, Alberta
T2N 2T9
Telephone
403-944-1110 (Switchboard)
Getting There

Parking available

Foothills Medical Centre parking map

Hours of Operation
Note

After the birth of your baby, a health care provider will offer to have your baby's hearing screened.
Access
Service Providers May Include
licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs)
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

Newborn hearing screening is offered by Alberta Health Services (AHS) through the Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Program. Newborn hearing screening service is offered on all Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and 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 the nearest 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

Service Languages
Interpreters / Translators
Partners

Partners/affiliations

Alberta Health

Service Locations
Also Known As
Acronym
EHDI, NICU