Program Background

The $22million Queensland Healthy Hearing Program, introduced universal newborn hearing screening for all newborn babies born throughout Queensland.

The program began on the 4th October 2004 at the major tertiary hospitals: the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, the Mater Hospital, and the Townsville Hospital. Since then the program was progressively rolled out across the state and now all babies born in birthing hospitals (public & private) throughout Queensland, are offered a hearing screen.

For a full list of private or public hospitals throughout Queensland that offer hearing screening to families of newborn babies click on the ‘Screening Hospital Location Tab’.

For More Background Information About the Program:  
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Every year as many as 100 Queensland babies may be born with serious hearing problems.

If hearing problems are detected early, and treatment begins before babies are six months old, they have a stronger chance of heading off future communication, health and learning problems.