Screen infants for hearing issues, say ENT experts

Jaipur: City’s ENT specialists have demanded from the Centre to initiate Universal New-born Hearing Screening (UNHS) and to incorporate that with the National Immunization Program so that all infants should be screened within 1 month of age preferably at the time of Immunization for hearing impairment.

“Hearing is the key to learning spoken language, performing academically and engaging socially for children. Hearing loss poses an obstacle to education and social integration. It can have profound effects not only on interpersonal communication but also on health, independence, well-being, quality of life and daily function. Persons with hearing impairment (HI) are likely to have lower family incomes, less educated, and unemployed,” said Dr Pawan Singhal, professor (ENT), SMS medical college.