What is the purpose of this service?
Every year in Illinois, as many as 500 babies are born with hearing loss. Illinois' Newborn Hearing Screening program is available through your hospital to test your newborn's hearing. Babies must be able to hear so they can learn to talk. If you
find hearing loss early, your baby will have the best chance to learn.
Who can receive these services?
All infants born in Illinois are screened before being sent home from the hospital. If the screening shows that the newborn may not have normal hearing, the infant is referred to a hearing specialist so further testing and follow-up can
be done.
What services are offered?
- Information is provided to parents whose child is found to have a hearing loss
- Diagnostic evaluation and follow-up are provided for children with hearing loss
More Information & Resources
The Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC) administers this program.
For more information, go to the Illinois Sound Beginnings website or call DSCC at 1-800-322-3722.
