Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for a seizure, severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey skin, or unresponsiveness.
These are emergencies whether or not hearing loss is suspected.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Arrange prompt, routine follow-up if your baby:
Does not pass newborn hearing screening
Misses a scheduled diagnostic hearing test
Stops responding to sounds previously noticed
Responds to sound only from one side
Has delayed or reduced babbling
Has persistent ear fluid, repeated ear infections, or ear discharge
Has a known risk factor for delayed hearing loss
Contact the baby's healthcare team promptly if hearing seems to change suddenly, especially after a significant illness or when a hearing device stops providing its usual benefit.
Seek urgent medical care after a serious head injury or if the baby has signs of a significant infection, such as being unusually difficult to wake, feeding very poorly, or having a bulging soft spot.
A fever of 38°C or higher in a baby younger than 3 months also needs urgent medical assessment.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Hearing loss - infants. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.