Minister announces hearing test for babies

Health Minister Shaun Woodward has announced the introduction of a new hearing screening programme for all newborn babies in Northern Ireland.

Launching the £500,000 programme, the Minister confirmed that from October 1, parents are being offered a hearing screening test for their babies soon after they are born. The test, which is carried out by specially trained staff, only takes a few minutes and is painless, often being done while the baby is asleep.

"The successful implementation of this regional screening programme is an important step forward and one to be welcomed," the Minister said. "Early identification of an infant with permanent hearing loss means that, with appropriate treatment, and support, their speech and communication skills can be well developed from an earlier age. This is important in ensuring that they can reach their full potential in terms of health and wellbeing, educational achievement and job prospects."

Approximately 1 in 1,000 babies are born with a significant hearing loss (about 25-30 per year in Northern Ireland). The hearing of babies is currently assessed by health visitors, using the Infant Distraction Test, at 7-8 months old. The sensitivity of this test can be low and hearing difficulties may not be detected until babies are 18 months old and in some cases not until they three years old.

Research studies have demonstrated the importance of detecting a hearing loss as early as possible. Early detection and provision of hearing aids can lead to better outcomes for speech and language development in later life, as well as the greater possibility of integration of the child into mainstream education.

All babies born from 1 October 2005 (approximately 21,000 babies per year) will be offered hearing screening. The Distraction Test will run alongside the hearing screening test until mid 2006 and will then stop.

(MB/SP)