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BC Early Hearing Program

The BC Early Hearing Program works towards achieving the best language outcomes for all young children in BC.

The BC Early Hearing Program (BCEHP) is the province-wide screening program to check hearing for babies born in BC. The program provides integrated services from hearing screening to hearing testing as well as early language support following identification of hearing loss.

Find a hearing clinic near you

My baby needs hearing testing

My baby needs hearing testing

Parents holding a newborn

Babies say their first words around one year of age. By preschool age they usually know more than 1,500 words and begin telling stories. These early language skills serve as a foundation for learning in school.

Early hearing screening is important. When a baby is born deaf or hard of hearing, the process of developing language can be delayed. Early screening helps reduce this delay by identifying children with hearing loss and providing their families with the support and professional care they need.

Even if no one in your family has hearing loss, it is important to have your baby's hearing screened and to attend any recommended further hearing testingAbout 1 in 400 babies is born with hearing loss. This number increases to 1 in 50 for babies who have complex health issues at birth. Most babies who are deaf or hard of hearing are born into families with no history of hearing loss.

See our Hearing Testing section for information about newborn hearing screening and hearing testing for infants and children.

Baby with an instrument being held against their ear

My baby has hearing loss

My baby has hearing loss

Babies who are deaf or hard of hearing are at risk for language delays.BCEHP-087crop.jpg

BC Early Hearing Program (BCEHP) provides the following services at no cost to families: 
  • a professional who will assist you with information about services available
  • funding for early language and communication services
    • one-to-one sessions with an early speech and language specialist
    • sign language instruction
  • hearing aids (if appropriate), batteries and earmolds
  • parent support
See our Parent Resource Guide to get started.

Access our Resources & Support page for more information.
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SOURCE: BC Early Hearing Program ( )
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