Newborn Hearing Screening (OAE)
Early hearing screening is an important part of newborn care. I am happy to offer Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) newborn hearing screenings for infants born at home, outside of a hospital setting, within the first 6 weeks of life.
OAE screening is a safe and non-invasive test that measures how the inner ear responds to sound. The screening is quick, gentle, and does not cause discomfort to your baby. Most screenings are completed while your baby is sleeping or calmly resting.
Appointment Options & Pricing
Office Appointment: $60 Self-Pay
30-minute appointment.
Includes screening, documentation, and explanation of results.
Includes referral for further testing if indicated.
Scheduling & Payment Policies
A $40 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of scheduling to reserve your appointment.
The deposit is applied toward your total balance
The remaining balance is due at the time of service
The deposit will be retained for late cancellations or no-shows
Late cancellations are defined as cancellations made with less than three hours’ notice or failure to be present at the scheduled appointment time.
If a Baby Does Not Pass the Screening
Occasionally, babies do not pass an initial hearing screen due to temporary factors like fluid/vernix in the ear, movement, or background noise.
If this occurs:
A repeat screening may be recommended
Referral information will be provided if follow-up testing is needed
Rescreening Fee: $40
What to Expect During an OAE Hearing Screening
During an OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions) hearing screening, your baby will be held or laid comfortably, often while sleeping or resting quietly.
A small probe with a soft, disposable tip is gently placed just inside your baby’s ear opening. The probe does not go deep into the ear and does not cause pain or discomfort.
The screening device then plays very quiet clicking or tone sounds through the probe. A tiny microphone inside the probe listens for the ear’s natural response to those sounds. The machine measures this response and displays whether the ear is responding within expected ranges.
Each ear is tested separately. The screening usually takes only moments per ear, though additional time may be needed if your baby is moving, crying, or needs to be soothed.
Nothing is inserted beyond the soft tip; there are no needles, no pressure, and no sedation. Once the screening is complete, the probe is removed, and the results are available immediately.
Ready to Schedule?
Schedule an office visit for earing screening using the link below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an OAE newborn hearing screening?
OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions) screening is a non-invasive test that measures how the inner ear responds to sound. A small, soft probe is placed just inside your baby’s ear canal, and gentle sounds are played. The equipment measures the ear’s response to determine whether hearing appears within normal limits.
Is the screening safe?
Yes. OAE screening is safe, painless, and does not involve radiation or sedation. It is routinely used in hospitals and outpatient settings and is appropriate for newborns.
How long does the appointment take?
Appointments are scheduled for approximately 30 minutes. The actual screening often takes only a few minutes, but extra time is built in to allow for feeding, soothing, and repeat attempts if needed.
Does my baby need to be asleep?
Sleeping babies usually allow for the quickest and easiest screening, but your baby does not have to be asleep. Calm, quiet babies often screen just as well.
Do you accept insurance?
This service may be billed to UnitedHealthcare if eligible.
All other insurance plans are self-pay only. Any patient responsibility or self-pay balance is due at the time of service.
Do you provide results or documentation?
Yes. You will receive a printed copy of your baby’s hearing screening results. Results can be faxed to your pediatric provider upon request.
How soon should my baby be screened?
Newborn hearing screening is ideally completed within the first month of life. Early screening supports timely follow-up if needed and meets recommended newborn care timelines. Little Orchids only offers screenings within the first 6 weeks of life.