The Southeast Infant Hearing Program will be transferred to KidsInclusive on May 1, 2023.
KFL&A Public Health and KidsInclusive are working together so that services continue for children and families.
The first months and years of your baby’s life are very important for developing language and communication. Undetected hearing loss is one of the causes of delayed language development.
Ontario Infant Hearing Program
The Ontario Infant Hearing Program provides:
- hearing screening for all newborns in the hospital or community setting,
- assessments to identify permanent hearing loss,
- monitoring of children who are at risk for developing hearing loss, and
- language development services (spoken or signed languages).
Two in 1000 babies have hearing loss at birth and another two more develop hearing loss by the age of 5 years old. Children with hearing loss are at risk for delayed development in areas such as listening, talking, learning, and social skills.
General information about newborn hearing screening and what to expect
Hearing Screen
- All babies in Ontario should be offered a hearing screen in the hospital before discharge or in the community setting.
- If your baby is under 8 weeks old and you have not yet accessed a hearing screen, call us right away at 613-549-1232 ext 1145
- Most babies will pass their newborn hearing screen. The screen is quick and reliable.
- At the time of screening, the screener will review the screening process, answer your questions, and confirm your consent.
-
If your infant receives a “refer” result on their hearing screen, we will schedule a follow-up screen to gather more information about your child’s hearing. This is a stage 2 screening.
Hearing screening locations
KidsInclusive is the lead agency for the Southeast Infant Hearing Program. Hearing screening is offered at many different locations across the southeast region.
Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington
Hospital (before discharge)
Kingston-Health Sciences Centre- Kingston General Hospital site
76 Stuart Street, Kingston ON. K7L 2V7
613-548-3232
Community Clinic
KFL&A Public Health
221 Portsmouth Ave., Kingston ON. K7M 1V5
613-549-1232 ext 1145
Leeds, Grenville & Lanark
Brockville
Hospital (before discharge)
Brockville General Hospital
75 Charles St., Brockville, ON. K6V 1S8
613-345-5649
Community clinic
Families will be told the location at the time of booking.
Commonwealth Public School
Children’s Services for United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
EarlyON Program – 166 Pearl Street East, Brockville. K6V 1R4 – 613-341-9044, ext. 2374, or 1-866-433-8933, ext. 2374
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit – 458 Laurier Blvd. Brockville, ON. K6V 7A3 (May be offered at a temporary location due to COVID-19)
Smiths Falls
Hospital (before discharge)
Perth Smiths Falls District Hosptial
60 Cornelia St. West., Smiths Falls, ON. K7A 2H9
613-283-2330
Community Clinic
Families will be told the location at the time of booking.
Children’s Resources on Wheels (CROW)
EarlyON Program – 4 Ross Street, Smiths Falls ON., K7A 4L5
Almonte
Hospital (before discharge)
Almonte General Hospital
75 Spring Street, Almonte, ON., K0A 1A0
613-256-2500
Community clinic
Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Hospital (May be offered at a temporary location due to COVID-19)
25 Johnston Street, Smiths Falls ON., K7A 0A4
Hastings, Prince Edward
Belleville
Hospital (before discharge)
Quinte Health Care
403 Main Street, Picton, ON., K0K 2T0
613-476-1008
Community clinic
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health – Offered by Quinte Family Space
179 North Park Street, Belleville, ON., K8P 4P1
613-966-9427, ext. 225
Risk factor screen
Newborn Screening Ontario (NSO) uses a blood spot from your baby’s heel to test for a variety of different diseases. This same blood spot is used to test for hearing loss risks, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and several genetic risk factors.
Audiology testing
If your baby receives a “refer” result on their follow-up screen (stage 2), the next step is to have your baby’s hearing tested by an Audiologist.
Team support
If your child is found to have a hearing loss, we are here to help. A team of professionals will work together with you and your Audiologist. Your team could also include a Family Support Worker, a Speech-Language Pathologist or an American Sign Language (ASL) Consultant and other community supports.
If you have questions about the Southeast Infant Hearing Program, call 613-544-3400, ext. 3175 and press 5.
Resources
English
- Help Your Child Develop Speech and Language Skills (French) – Ontario Infant Hearing Program
- Ontario Infant Hearing Program Locations (French ) – Ontario Infant Hearing Program
- Newborn Screening Ontario- Hearing Risk Factor Screening (French)
- Hear On Videos – University of Western Ontario- Learning videos for families of children identified with permanent hearing loss.
Reprinted with the permission of KFL&A Public Health.
KidsInclusive|EnfantsInclus
Centre for Child & Youth Development
Kingston Health Sciences Centre,
Hotel Dieu Site
166 Brock Street
Kingston, ON K7L 5G2
Phone 613 544-3400 ext. 3175
Toll Free 1 855-544-3400
Fax 613 545-3557
