In Western Australia, one in 1,000 babies tested have some type of hearing impairment.
The WA Newborn Hearing Screening Program has been rolled out state-wide and by April 2011 had exceeded the 95 per cent screening target.
The State Government's expansion of the service from five to 29 public maternity hospitals led to the dramatic improvement in screening rates.
Ninety-seven per cent of babies born in public metropolitan hospitals and 96 per cent of babies born in country hospitals were screened in late 2010.
The program is run by the Child and Adolescent Health Service with support from the WA Country Health Service in rural and remote areas.
More than 139,000 newborn babies have been screened through the program to determine whether they have any hearing abnormalities so they can be identified and managed as soon as possible.
A non-invasive device, which delivers a soft clicking sound through ear-phones and picks up the baby's response through sensors on their skin, is used to screen newborn babies from 12-hours-old.
Hearing loss can be a debilitating disability so identifying and managing these babies early significantly improves their chances of meeting positive language and speech outcomes.
The WA Newborn Hearing Screening Program has been rolled out state-wide and by April 2011 had exceeded the 95 per cent screening target.
The State Government's expansion of the service from five to 29 public maternity hospitals led to the dramatic improvement in screening rates.
Ninety-seven per cent of babies born in public metropolitan hospitals and 96 per cent of babies born in country hospitals were screened in late 2010.
The program is run by the Child and Adolescent Health Service with support from the WA Country Health Service in rural and remote areas.
More than 139,000 newborn babies have been screened through the program to determine whether they have any hearing abnormalities so they can be identified and managed as soon as possible.
A non-invasive device, which delivers a soft clicking sound through ear-phones and picks up the baby's response through sensors on their skin, is used to screen newborn babies from 12-hours-old.
Hearing loss can be a debilitating disability so identifying and managing these babies early significantly improves their chances of meeting positive language and speech outcomes.
.
Electorate Office: Unit 1, Druids Hall, Corner Durlacher and Sanford Streets, Geraldton, WA 6530. PO Box 231, Geraldton, WA 6531
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
Copyright Brian Ellis MLC © 2009 - 2011
Newborn hearing tests exceed target
By managing issues early with support such as sign language, hearing aids or cochlear implants, these children can be helped to reach their full potential in speech, language and cognitive ability.
Regional hospitals where the Newborn Hearing Screening Program runs include Esperance, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany, Katanning, Broome, Derby Kununurra, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Nickol Bay, Port Hedland, Bridgetown, Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Margaret River, Manjimup, Narrogin and Northam.
Regional hospitals where the Newborn Hearing Screening Program runs include Esperance, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany, Katanning, Broome, Derby Kununurra, Carnarvon, Geraldton, Nickol Bay, Port Hedland, Bridgetown, Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Margaret River, Manjimup, Narrogin and Northam.