Universal Hearing Screening Programme
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Doctors
Screening for hearing impairment is done for all newborns in the hospital before discharge. For the baby who does not pass this hearing screening test, a repeat test will be arranged for at the clinic. If baby continues to not pass the repeat test, baby will be referred to the ENT (Ear, Nose, Throat) specialist for confirmatory hearing testing and subsequent management.
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Signs & Symptoms
Hearing loss in the newborn is not easily picked up without specialised hearing screening. If not detected early, hearing impairment may result in speech and language delays in the child.
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What causes it
Hearing loss may be due to inherited causes, ear malformations, intrauterine infections, prematurity, recurrent ear infections or brain infections. Most babies with hearing impairment do not have family members affected with this condition.
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About the condition
About 4 out of every 1000 babies will have significant hearing loss, which makes these babies at high risk of delay in speech, language, intellectual, social and emotional development, if undetected and treated.
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Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Diagnosis of hearing impairment is made through specialised hearing tests and detailed evaluation by the ENT specialist. Treatment options may range from hearing amplification with hearing aids, audiovisual therapy and cochlear implants.
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Clinical outcome
Our experience over the last 10 years has shown that babies with significant hearing impairment who receive early, appropriate therapy can achieve normal speech and development.
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