Newborn Hearing Screening

We bring gentle, stress-free newborn hearing screenings right to the comfort of your home, keeping your sweet baby cozy while meeting all of Maryland’s essential health guidelines.

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Overview

Welcoming a newborn into the world is an incredible journey. For families planning a home birth, a specialized birthing center experience, or those who simply prefer the comfort of their own living room, we bring essential newborn health screenings directly to you.

What is a Newborn Hearing Screening?

A newborn hearing screening is a quick, safe, and entirely painless test used to check how your baby’s ears respond to sound. Most commonly, we perform an Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) test.

During the screen, a small, soft probe is placed just inside your baby’s ear canal. The device plays gentle clicks or tones, and a computer measures the natural echo produced by the inner ear in response. The test takes just a few minutes and is typically done while your baby is peacefully sleeping or resting quietly.

When is it Done & Maryland's Recommendations

  • The Ideal Window: Per Maryland state guidelines, routine newborn screenings should be performed between 24 to 48 hours of life. If a baby is discharged or seen earlier, it should be done as late as practical before the provider leaves.

  • Maryland's 1-3-6 Rule: Our services strictly align with the Maryland Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (MD EHDI) Program. This national and state standard ensures that all infants are:

    1. Screened for hearing loss by 1 month of age.

    2. Diagnosed with a confirmed status by 3 months of age if they do not pass the initial screen.

    3. Enrolled in supportive early intervention services by 6 months of age if a hearing difference is identified.

What to Expect During Your In-Home Visit

We focus on keeping the environment calm and stress-free for both you and your baby.

  • Preparation: There are no painful needles or uncomfortable wires. You do not need to do anything special to prepare, though it helps if the baby has a clean diaper and is ready for a potential nap or feeding.

  • During the Test: We will gently place the soft foam or rubber tip in the baby’s ear. We ask for a few minutes of relative quiet in the room so the specialized computer equipment can accurately read the inner ear's response.

  • Immediate Results: You will receive the results right away, along with official documentation to share with your pediatrician. If your baby needs a routine rescreen, we will guide you on the next steps immediately.

Ideal Time to Book Your Services

To ensure we can accommodate your family seamlessly, please keep our booking availability in mind:

  • In-Home Visits (Inquire During Pregnancy): Because the state requires this test to be done shortly after birth, our in-home calendar fills up quickly. Clients who want this service provided in the comfort of their home should inquire during pregnancy to guarantee home availability.

  • Office Visits (Schedule Anytime): If you miss the prenatal window or prefer to travel to us, our office-based newborn hearing screenings can be scheduled at any time.

FAQ’s

  • If you want an in-home screening, you should inquire during your pregnancy to guarantee availability on our calendar shortly after birth. If you prefer an in-office screening, these can be requested and scheduled at any time.

  • Our in-office newborn hearing screening is $120. If you prefer the comfort and convenience of staying in your living room, our mobile in-home screening is $200 (which includes travel within 40 miles of our office). Additional miles beyond 40 is $2 per extra mile)

  • The $200 in-home fee reflects the specialized portable testing equipment we bring to you, fuel, travel time, and the premium convenience of keeping your days-old infant completely cozy at home without navigating traffic or waiting rooms.

  • Not passing the first screen is very common and usually just means there is birth fluid still clearing from the ear canal. To give you complete peace of mind, one follow-up rescreen at our office is 100% free within 2–3 weeks of your first appointment. If you prefer for us to come back out to your home for the rescreen, the fee is just $40 to cover mobile travel costs.

  • Absolutely. Right after the screening is finished, we will provide you with an official copy of the results for your own records and will gladly send a digital copy directly to your midwife, OB/GYN, or pediatrician. Keeping your care team updated ensures seamless, continuous health tracking for your baby.

  • Yes. In compliance with Maryland state law and the Maryland Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (MD EHDI) Program, all independent and licensed professionals performing newborn hearing tests are required to securely upload screening data. We handle this state database reporting automatically within the required timeline so your family stays perfectly aligned with Maryland's health guidelines.

  • We operate as a private, out-of-network provider and do not bill insurance companies directly. We do accept HSA/FSA Cards. Payment is due at the time of your booking.

  • Yes, in most cases you can. Newborn hearing screenings are considered an eligible medical expense, and we accept FSA and HSA debit cards directly at checkout.

  • While newborn hearing screenings are generally eligible under federal tax rules, every employer and benefit company decides exactly what expenses they will approve for their specific plan. We highly recommend checking with your plan administrator beforehand to confirm their specific rules for mobile or independent medical services.

  • IIf your card is declined, it is usually because the card processor does not automatically recognize our business category as a medical entity. If this happens, you can simply pay out-of-pocket using a standard credit or debit card, and then submit our detailed invoice to your provider for manual reimbursement.

  • IWhat documentation will you provide so I can get my claim or insurance reimbursed?
    Following your visit, we will provide you with a comprehensive Superbill (an itemized medical receipt). This document includes all the official information your provider needs to process the claim, including standard medical diagnosis codes, procedure codes (CPT codes), and our business information.