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

Alberta Health Services - Provincial Health Services


Description
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.


Affiliation: Alberta Health
Key Provider: audiologists
Eligibility
Yes, 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.
Application Process
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.
Referral Process: N/A


Waiting Period: N/A,
Toll Free
1-844-314-6805
Fax
403-314-5644
Languages
Interpreters / Translators
Fees
Fee: N/A
Fee Reduction: N/A
Membership Fee: N/A
Accessibility
Wheelchair access: Yes -
Other disabled access: No -
Topic(s)
Agency Information
View Agency Profile
Last Verified On
November 14, 2023
Address
5419 44 Street
Provost, AB, T0B 3S0
Open in Google Maps
Hours of Operation
Mon
09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Tue
09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Wed
09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Thu
09:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Fri
09:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Available by appointment only.