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Babies missing out on hearing tests
Hundreds of parents do not realise their babies are deaf because they are not given hearing tests, it was revealed on Monday.
- Evening Standard
- Published: 23:35 November 24, 2008
London: Hundreds of parents do not realise their babies are deaf because they are not given hearing tests, it was revealed on Monday.
Many children are not diagnosed until they are toddlers, delaying development and putting emotional health at risk.
Babies in London get the worst hearing care in the country, with half of all newborns missing out on tests which should be given to every child.
Parents whose children are diagnosed with hearing problems also face unacceptable delays and problems getting help, an NHS report found.
Follow up
All babies should be given a hearing test before they are four weeks old as part of a screening programme introduced in 2006. If problems are detected they should then get an appointment with an audiologist and follow up tests.
But a report into the screening programme in London found many were missing out. In the last year alone 140 children should statistically have been diagnosed as deaf, but only 72 cases were reported. The report said: "The risks are that maybe 60-70 deaf children per year are missed and have reduced life chances."
The National Deaf Children's Society called today for an overhaul of the system.
Suzanne Sibillin, director for London, said: "The NHS must take urgent action to ensure that all newborn babies in London benefit from screening and the appropriate aftercare."
One in every 842 babies is born with permanent hearing difficulties. Late diagnosis can lead to major problems. An undiagnosed deaf child aged three will only know 25 words, compared to 700 for a hearing child.
Across London only 11 of the 31 primary care trusts hit the target for screening 98 per cent of babies. Most parents then had to wait more than six weeks for follow-up tests.
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