UK ups screening for hearing impairments in newborns

Main Category: Hearing / Deafness
Article Date: 03 Jan 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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UK Health Minister Stephen Ladyman, congratulated today Primary Care Trusts who are taking part in the NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme, which aims to screen all newborn babies for hearing defects.

As of December 2003, 54 sites in England since 2001 have been trained and are screening about 50 per cent of newborns. Already, 250,000 newborn babies have been screened, and nearly 250 identified and confirmed with a hearing loss before six months of age. We know that both child and family benefit greatly if there is early confirmation of a hearing loss.

Stephen Ladyman, said:

'This government wants to make sure that every child gets the best start in life. We know that early detection of deafness and hearing impairment improves language and communication skills leading to better educational achievement and quality of life. If babies are identified with a hearing loss very early in their life, precious time is gained to help them and their family develop vital communication skills.

'Hearing Screening in newborn babies started in 2001 with 20 pilot sites. We are now encouraged to see that this has more than doubled to 54 sites in the last couple of years and by 2005 we hope that all sites in England will be participating in this vital service.'

Chief Executive of The National Deaf Children's Society, Susan Daniels, said:

'We are delighted that the NHS (National Health Service) Newborn Hearing Screening Programme is being implemented in so many sites all around the UK and we look forward to seeing a complete nationwide roll out. Early diagnosis of a hearing loss is extremely important for a child's language and social development. If a baby is identified by the age of six months, and a good early intervention and support programme is developed, a deaf child can develop language at the same rate as a hearing child.'

The UK is ahead of most of Europe in rolling out this programme nationally. Supported by the National Deaf Children's Society and the RNID, this is a good example of joint working between the NHS, education services, social services and the voluntary sector, in the care and follow up of children with hearing difficulties.

Notes to Editors:

1. Founded in 1944, The National Deaf Children's Society is the leading UK charity to provide on-going support, information, advice and advocacy on all aspects of childhood deafness for deaf children, deaf young people, their families, carers and professionals working with them. Parents can contact the charity's freephone helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice and text) or access the website at www.ndcs.org.uk

2. List of NHSP sites:

1. Avon
2. Barnet
3. Barnsley
4. Bath
5. Bedfordshire
6. Berkshire
7. Birmingham-Central
8. Birmingham-Sandwell
9. Birmingham-Solihull
10. Bolton
11. Bradford
12. Brighton & Hove / East Sussex
13. Bromley
14. Bury, Rochdale & Oldham
15. Calderdale & Huddersfield
16. Cambridge
17. Camden and Islington
18. Chelmsford
19. Chesterfield
20. Croydon
21. Dewsbury
22. Doncaster & Bassetlaw
23. Dudley
24. East London & City
25. East Riding and Hull
26. Gloucestershire
27. Grimsby
28. Hillingdon
29. Hinchingbrooke
30. Manchester
31. Milton Keynes
32. North Cheshire
33. North Nottinghamshire
34. North Staffs
35. Northumberland
36. Nottingham
37. Oxfordshire
38. Peterborough
39. Portsmouth & IOW
40. Redbridge
41. Rotherham
42. Salford
43. Sheffield
44. Shropshire
45. South Wiltshire
46. Southampton
47. Southend
48. Stockport
49. Swindon
50. Trafford
51. Waltham Forest
52. West Pennine (Tameside)
53. Winchester
54. Worcester
3. For further information, please look at - www.nhsp.info

4. For media enquiries, please contact: Shima Islam, tel: 020 7210 5375 in the Department of Health Media Centre.

5. For public enquiries, please contact the Department of Health Public Enquiries Department on tel: 020 7210 4850