By Charles Lefebvre

AHS expands hearing tests for infants

Feb 14, 2019 | 4:05 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Alberta Health Services has expanded the use of a test to identify permanent hearing loss in infants.

The test, which was once limited only a few areas of Alberta, is now available free of charge in all neonatal intensive care units in Alberta, as well as postpartum units in hospitals where there are more than 200 births a year.

AHS estimates 150 children in Alberta are born with permanent hearing loss each year.

“Permanent hearing loss really impacts overall language development, which in turn impacts learning, literacy and overall social and emotional development,” said Tanis Howarth, provincial director of audiology with Alberta Health Services, over the phone from Edmonton.

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The test involves soft sounds played in the infant’s ears, with a computer measuring how the ears respond to the sounds.

If the child does not respond, they’re referred to an audiologist for further testing.

“We’re using the international standard of what’s known as 1-3-6,” said Howarth. “We’re looking to screen hearing by one month of age, identify permanent hearing loss by three months of age, and put intervention services in place no later than six months of age.”