(NAPSA)—Moms, Dads, Grandparents: Bring Those Babies Back for Follow-up! There is good newsfor babies born with hearing loss each year in the United States. As of July 2003, mandatory newborn hearing screening programs have been implemented in 38 states and the District of Columbia. With new screening laws, more infants are being screened for deafness or hearing loss, usually before they leave the hospital. Why is newborn screening important? Children have a window-of-opportunity for learning language, either spoken or signed. This is critical. If a child does not start to learn languagein the first months and years of life, many educational and social situations will be harder for the child throughout his or her lifetime. Sereening the newborn is only the first part of a three-step commitment to good communication for a baby who has hearingloss or is deaf. Steps to Good Communication: 1. SCREEN(for information) 2. KNOW (get a diagnosis by 3 months) 3. PROVIDE appropriate intervention for language development for baby who has a hearing loss or who is deaf For children who are born with normal hearing, families still need to watch for signs of late-onset or progressive hearing loss. Minimal hearing loss also is an important factor in school success and psychosocial development. Nearly 15 percent of children have a low-frequency or high-frequency hearing loss. So, for babies without hearing loss at birth, you need to keep observing. For babies who pass When an infant has a hearing problem, parents, professionals and institutions need to work together as a team. the screening, remember to observe their behavior to note any changes in communication and testing for late-onset hearingloss. If a newborn shows hearing loss at the screening, parents should take the babies for followup. Follow-up includesa full hearing evaluation and a medical diagnosis. This should happen before the baby is three monthsof age. Why are professionals concerned? In the year 2000, only half of the children who were referred for follow-up examinations received one. Experts say you are more likely to return for follow up when: *You fully understand the child’s screening results; *You understand the importance of the diagnostic evaluation; and, *You are provided the necessary contacts and resource information. So Bring Them Back! To learn more visit the Web site www.nided.nih.gov or call 1800-241-1044 for free information.
