The Ontario Infant Hearing Program (IHP) is a province-wide program of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services that screens babies for hearing loss soon after birth. Screening takes place in the hospital or in a community-based setting. The program is designed to:
A baby's ability to learn language and speech begins almost immediately; before their first birthday, babies babble many of the sounds spoken around them. Babies with hearing loss have the same need for early access to a stimulating language environment as babies with normal hearing. Identifying hearing loss as early as possible is important. It allows families to work with health care professionals to find the best way to help their child learn language so that they can achieve their full communication potential at home, school and in the community.
A specially trained IHP hearing screener will perform the hearing screen for your baby by playing soft level sounds using a computer into your baby's ears using a soft tip. The hearing screen is safe and fast. Your baby will be either sleeping or resting quietly during the screen.
If your baby has a 'refer' result from the first hearing screen, then they will have a second hearing screen before you leave the hospital or in a community location. If your baby has a 'refer' result on the second screen, then you will be scheduled for a more advanced hearing test. An IHP-registered Audiologist will determine your baby's true hearing levels and has the knowledge and skills to treat hearing loss in children. It is very important to go to this appointment because if your child has hearing loss, it can be treated early to avoid any delays in communication and social development.
About two out of 1000 babies will have hearing loss. If your baby has hearing loss, the IHP Audiologist will explain the type of hearing loss, the sounds your baby will be able to hear, as well as the sounds your baby might not be able to hear. The IHP Audiologist will also explain how the hearing loss may affect speech and language development. IHP will provide support for communication development as well as the services of a Family Support Worker if you are interested.
About three to four children out of 1000 will have a hearing loss by five years of age that may affect their speech, language, reading and social development. It is important to have your child's hearing tested by an Audiologist if you have any concerns about hearing, speech and/or language development.
For more information on how hearing screenings are done, what to do if you think your baby isn't hearing well, and infant hearing program locations in your area, please see the resources below.