With Deaf Awareness Month marked next month, parents or guardians of newborns are encouraged to have their little one’s hearing tested sooner, rather than later.

Those who would like to ensure that their newborns are able to hear properly, can visit their healthcare provider, local clinic or the Carel du Toit Centre located on the grounds of the Tygerberg Hospital in Parow.

Deaf Awareness Month is marked annually during September, and the centre will be highlighting one of the most important health checks a baby can receive – a hearing screening.

Hearing loss is often called an “invisible disability” because babies born with hearing loss usually look healthy and may not show obvious signs during the first months of life making, early screening the only reliable way to identify hearing loss before it begins to affect speech and learning, the centre says. In South Africa, around 17 babies are born with hearing loss every day.

The Carel du Toit Centre wants to raise awareness that early identification is one of the most important steps in giving children access to communication – which is essential for brain development, the centre says.

Newborn hearing screening is quick, safe and painless, the centre says, adding that it can be done almost immediately after baby is born and takes only a few minutes. If hearing loss is detected early, families can access specialist services and support during the critical months when babies’ brains are developing language, the centre says.

Signs

Parents and, or guardians should seek professional advice if:

• Babies between birth and three months who fail to startle, blink or “jump” at sudden loud noises and do not calm down to a familiar voice;
• Babies between four to six months who do not turn their head toward the direction of a new sound or a calling voice;
• Babies between seven and 12 months who do not babble, respond to their own name or say simple words like “mama” or “dada” by their first birthday;
• Babies between a year and two-years who cannot follow a simple instruction (fetch the ball) or cannot put two words together (more juice).

However, many babies with hearing loss display no obvious symptoms, which is why newborn hearing screening is so important. If you are concerned about your baby’s hearing health, contact your preferred healthcare provider or local clinic and arrange for your baby’s hearing to be screened, the centre advises.

Research has consistently shown that children whose hearing loss is identified and supported early in life (before six months of age) achieve significantly better outcomes in communication than children diagnosed later.

Intervention

When a baby is identified with hearing loss through newborn hearing screening, the next vital step is early intervention and this is where the Carel du Toit Centre comes in, the centre explains.

For decades, the centre has been transforming the lives of families and children with hearing loss and their families through specialised early intervention programmes that focus on developing listening and spoken language. By working closely with families, audiologists, speech-language therapists, teachers and healthcare professionals, the centre empowers children to reach their full potential, the centre says.

With early identification, appropriate hearing technology and timely intervention, many children with hearing loss can develop listening and spoken language skills alongside their hearing peers.

“Deaf Awareness Month reminds us that awareness must lead to action. Every baby deserves the opportunity to have their hearing checked. Early identification gives families choices, provides access to appropriate support and opens the door to a lifetime of communication, learning and opportunity,” says Sarah Lange, head of audiology.

The centre is calling on healthcare providers, policymakers and parents to support universal newborn hearing screening across South Africa, ensuring that every child, regardless of where they are born, has access to early hearing detection and intervention. One simple hearing screening can make a lifetime of difference, the centre says.

For more information about the Carel du Toit Centre and its specialised early intervention programmes visit www.careldutoit.co.za.

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