Infant Hearing Program

The Ontario Infant Hearing Program (IHP) is a province-wide program of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services designed to:

• identify all infants with permanent hearing impairment;
• give parents the information they need to make timely, informed decisions; and
  
• provide the services necessary to maximize family communication and language development, important for developing reading skills and school success.
  

Every year in Ontario, about three to four in 1,000 babies are born with a hearing impairment, or will develop a hearing impairment in early childhood. It is important that hearing impairment be detected as early as possible in order for these babies to receive the supports they need to develop language. 

That's why Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) is an important part if IHP.  Learn more about UNHS.

On this site you'll find:

• information for families and caregivers;
• an instructional video for assessing infant hearing;
  
• brochures, training protocols, and articles for professionals;
• protocols, training manuals and modules for our staff;
• links to other resources on infant hearing;
• a list of regional coordinators for the Ontario Infant Hearing Program;
• more about who we are.