New Mexico Opened Infant Hearing Testing Facilities
New testing sites in Las Cruces and other cities help families access vital infant care closer to home.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Babies
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The New Mexico School for the Deaf has launched new hearing testing facilities for infants in Las Cruces, with additional sites opening in Artesia, Hobbs, Santa Fe, and Gallup. These centers provide diagnostic assistance for children up to 22 years old.
Why it matters
Early identification of hearing challenges is critical for infant development. By expanding these locations across the state, families can avoid long-distance travel to Albuquerque for necessary diagnostic support.
New facilities in Las Cruces, Artesia, Hobbs, Santa Fe, and Gallup now support children until they turn 22 years old. These sites provide testing services previously requiring travel to Albuquerque.
The players
New Mexico School for the Deaf
A state institution providing educational and support services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students and their families.
The details
The testing process monitors infant brain waves while the child is asleep to identify potential hearing issues. This specialized diagnostic care serves as a secondary step after infants undergo initial hearing screenings at the hospital shortly after birth.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: The Las Cruces hearing testing facility officially opened.
The Home Front
This development aligns with the state objective of decentralizing specialized pediatric health resources to improve access for rural residents. It marks a shift away from the traditional model that required families to travel to a single urban hub for early intervention services.
Parents of newborns should verify if their child has completed the mandatory post-birth hospital hearing screening. If further testing is recommended, contact your local facility to determine if it is one of the newly opened sites that can provide diagnostic support closer to your community.
The takeaway
Early intervention remains the most effective tool for managing hearing health in childhood. Parents should discuss any concerns regarding their infant's hearing response with their pediatrician to determine if a formal diagnostic test is necessary at a regional facility.
Further reading
For more information on supporting development milestones, visit our Babies section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRWG.
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