‘Crucial to detect hearing issues in newborns early’
EARLY detection of hearing issues among newborns is crucial for treating problems such as speech delay later in life, says an expert.

Hospital Sultanah Aminah (HSA) Otorhinolaryngology Department chief Dr S. Jothi said effective communication relied heavily on an individual’s ability to hear.

“When a child experiences speech delay, for example by the age three, and especially if the child has not uttered many words, the first thing we check is the hearing.

“If the hearing is normal, then we will move on to identify other possible problems.

“This is why universal hearing screening is important to identify hearing issues in newborns, or at least to have babies screened within a month of birth.

“The screening is done using an Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) machine, which indicates whether a person passes or fails a hearing test,” she said when interviewed.

Dr Jothi said in early 2022, HSA had only one OAE machine and the screening rate for live births was around 30%.

Since acquiring another machine later that year, donated by a Buddhist non-governmental organisation, and a third OAE machine from the Johor Islamic Religious Council last year, her department had been able to increase screening rates.

According to HSA deputy director (surgery) Dr Redzuan Ab Hamid, 12,958 live births were recorded at the hospital last year, with 10,735 of them being screened immediately after birth.

Dr Redzuan says last year, 49 babies were detected with hearing problems at HSA.He said out of the babies screened, the hospital detected 49 with hearing problems and they were referred for follow-up treatment and rehabilitation.

“The hospital’s audiology unit is working with the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department as well as the Paediatric Department to identify hearing problems from birth.

“We recently celebrated National Speech-Language-Hearing Month at HSA to raise public awareness about this issue.

“We also hope that this opens up more room for inter-department collaboration to manage our patients,” he added.

Dr Jothi noted that many parents did not realise that their children experienced speech difficulties because they could not hear properly, which was why early checks were needed to find the right treatment.

Depending on the level of hearing loss, the department aimed to recommend hearing aids as soon as possible, she said.

“Those with severe to profound hearing loss will be referred to Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI) for a cochlear implant, which incurs a high cost.

“However, patients must undergo a series of screenings before they can be sent there.

“If we can rehabilitate them with hearing aids, it will be the best option and can reduce treatment costs,” she said.

Dr Jothi added that besides treating children with hearing issues and speech delays, her department also assisted stroke patients who experienced speech and swallowing difficulties.

The department at HSA had five speech therapists and five audiologists, she said.

In Johor, audiology and speech-language pathologist therapy services are available at six hospitals: HSA, HSI, Hospital Enche’ Besar Hajjah Khalsom (Kluang), Hospital Sultanah Nora Ismail (Batu Pahat), Hospital Pakar Sultanah Fatimah (Muar) and Hospital Segamat.
Hearing Problems,Newborns,Hospital Sultanah Aminah,HSA,Speech Delay,Otorhinolaryngology Department
EARLY detection of hearing issues among newborns is crucial for treating problems such as speech delay later in life, says an expert.