Newborn Hearing Screening Policy
MP 0167/21 - Newborn Hearing Screening Policy (pdf 145KB)
Applicable to: This policy is applicable to the Child and Adolescent Health Service and Health Service Providers that provide maternity and neonatal services.
Description: The Newborn Hearing Screening Policy (the policy) sets the mandatory requirements that outline roles, responsibilities and reporting requirements for Health Service Providers that provide services for newborn babies in the WA health system as part of the WA Newborn Hearing Screening Program.
The WA Newborn Hearing Screening Program involves screening newborn babies to identify those with moderate to profound (> 40 decibels) congenital permanent bilateral, unilateral sensory or permanent conductive hearing loss including neural hearing loss.
The WA Newborn Hearing Screening Program is provided by the WA health system as part of standard maternity care.
This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers under the Public Health Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(c) of the Health Services Act 2016.
Date of effect: 29 July 2021
Policy Framework
Public Health
Newborn Hearing Screening Procedure (pdf 135KB)
Equipment Specification Requirements (pdf 294KB)
Performance Indicators Form (pdf 287KB)
National Agreement of Council of Australian Governments (2009)
National Framework for Neonatal Hearing Screening (2013)
Newborn Hearing Screening Program (Perth Children's Hospital)
Newborn Hearing Screening Brochure (Perth Children's Hospital)
Why does my baby need further hearing tests? (Perth Children's Hospital)