Beginnings SC Hearing Screening Program

Healthy hearing is essential to a child’s communication, learning, and social development— especially in the earliest years of life. To help childcare providers and families support every child’s potential, we offer free, on-site hearing screenings for children ages 0 - 5 at licensed childcare centers statewide!

Submit a Hearing Screening Request

Why Early Hearing Screenings Matter 

From infancy through preschool, children rapidly develop speech, language, and social skills. Even mild or temporary hearing challenges can impact this growth. Early screenings allow caregivers, teachers, and families to identify potential concerns quickly so that children can receive follow-up care when needed. 

Our program makes this process simple, supportive, and accessible for everyone involved! 


What We Offer

✔ Free On-Site Hearing Screenings

Our trained hearing screeners visit your center to provide gentle, age-appropriate assessments for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

✔ Convenient Scheduling

We work with your childcare center to schedule screenings around your routines and minimize disruptions to daily activities.

✔ Clear, Confidential Results

Families receive easy-to-understand screening results along with guidance on next steps if further evaluation is recommended.

✔ Support for Providers

We help centers meet early childhood health and developmental best-practice standards while strengthening communication with families.

How the Process Works

  1. Schedule a Visit
    Childcare centers submit a request through our website by filling out a short form.
  2. Parent Notification & Consent
    We provide centers with ready-to-share materials to inform families and collect consent.
  3. Two On-Site Screening Days
    Our specialist arrives with all equipment and conducts screenings in a quiet, child-friendly space. On the first date, we screen all children at the center. On the second date, we will only screen children who referred, who we couldn’t previously test, or who were absent with hearing concerns.
  4. Results & Recommendations
    We provide results for every child to the center on the day of the second screening. From there, we do five points of contact with parents to ensure the proper follow up for children who referred is completed.
  5. Third and Final Screening Day
    Once 90% of the children have completed follow up, or 60 days after the second screening, we will come back for one more screening day. Following this, we follow up with parents as needed and the center will receive a certificate of completion for completing their screening cycle.


Who Can Participate 

This service is available at licensed childcare centers across the state, including: 

● Infant and toddler programs 

● Preschools 

● Faith-based centers 

● Community-based childcare providers 


Children ages birth through five are eligible for a screening. 

We do not screening HeadStart, Early Headstart, or home based childcare centers at this time. 


Bring Free Hearing Screenings to Your Center 

Help ensure every child in your care has the opportunity to learn, communicate, and thrive. Fill out the form here to schedule your free on-site hearing screenings or to learn more about the program. 



If you have any questions, please contact us at hearingscreenings@gmail.com 


Regional Audiologist Recommendations

view our resource map made in collaboration with SC DHEC listing Pediatric Audiologists by region.

View This Resource

Visit Our Resource Library

our open access resource library is accessible to all

Visit the Resource Library

Make a Referral for Beginnings SC

If your child has a diagnosed hearing loss please make a referral to Beginnings SC today so we can connect you with more services!

Make a Referral

FAQs

  • Who is eligible for the free hearing screenings?

    Children ages 0-5 who are enrolled in a licensed childcare center participating in the program are eligible. This includes infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children.

  • Is there any cost to families or childcare centers?

    No. The screenings are provided completely free to both families and childcare providers.

  • What happens during the hearing screening?

    Our trained specialists use age-appropriate, child-friendly screening methods to check each child’s hearing. The process is quick, gentle, and non-invasive, typically lasting only a few minutes. Please watch this short video demonstrating a standard hearing screening. 


  • How are parents notified about the screenings?

    Childcare centers share information and opt-out forms with families ahead of time. Children who are opted out will not be screened.

  • Do parents need to be present during the screening?

    No. Screenings take place at the childcare center during normal hours, but parents are always welcome to attend if the center allows.

  • How will parents receive the results?

    Written letters will be sent home to Parents after the second screening. Results include next-step recommendations if additional evaluation is suggested.

  • What does it mean if my child refers?

    A hearing screening is not a diagnosis. If a child does not pass, it simply means that further testing with a medical professional is recommended to better understand what might be going on.

  • What do I do if my pediatrician says there is nothing in my child’s ear?

    Our protocol says that after we hear from you, we come back and screen your child a third time after they have been seen and cleared by a medical professional. At this third screening, we will perform the same test and notify you again, through a letter, if they refer or pass. If they refer, we will be referring you to a pediatric audiologist for a full hearing evaluation. We are available to help you through this process at any stage from helping you find one, to navigating insurance questions, to getting the referral from your pediatrician if your insurance requires this.


  • My child has had multiple sets of tubes and our ENT says everything is fine. Why did they fail this test?

    There can be many reasons a child with a history of ear problems could refer. It is possible that the problem has returned, or their tubes have fallen out. It is also possible that a long history of middle ear problems has resulted in a mild hearing loss from scarring. We will be happy to talk to you more about this and answer any questions you might have.

  • Is it possible this is an incorrect result?

    We do not often get false positives. Our machine is calibrated as needed and our screeners are well trained. It is more likely that there is something preventing a pass result- but it does not always mean hearing loss. Many children fail one to two screenings as a result of fluid behind the eardrum - which may or may not be infected.

  • Can temporary conditions affect screening results?

    Yes. Common issues like ear infections, fluid buildup, or impacted earwax can impact a hearing screening. This is why follow-up care is important if a child does not pass.

  • How long does the screening take?

    Most children complete the screening in 2–5 minutes, depending on age and cooperation.

  • What equipment is used? Is it safe?

    We use an Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) machine. It is very safe and intended for younger children. It does not require a child’s feedback to test.

  • Was the test performed by an Audiologist?

    No. Our screeners are not audiologists. However, they have been through extensive training before they start screening on their own. The protocol we use, as developed by Utah State University and National Association for Hearing Assessment and Management, was designed for use and implementation by non-audiologists. That is the reason that multiple screenings are performed prior to referral.


  • How often should children be screened?

    Early childhood experts recommend periodic hearing screenings as children grow. Many of our centers choose to have yearly screenings with us.

  • How can my childcare center participate?

    Licensed childcare centers can submit a request form here or reach out to hearingscreenings@gmail.com for more guidance!