Introduction: About 1 to 3 newborn per 1000 live births and 2 to 4% from intensive care unit are expected to have a hearing loss. Newborn hearing screening (NHS) has been proposed to accelerate diagnosis and intervention and thereby improve language outcomes in these infants. Objective: To review the important aspects in the planing and implementing of NHS programs that wish the quality parameters necessary to achieve the early detection of hearing loss and consequently the intervention. Conclusions: The aspects of this review may facilitate the implementing and reorganization of NHS programs, a valuable instrument for professionals who care about hearing loss in infants.