NEWBORN babies are to receive hearing tests in a bid to detect deafness.

A scheme being rolled out nationally has arrived at East Lancashire's two maternity hospitals -- Queen's Park in Blackburn and Burnley General Hospital.

It is hoped the new service will lead to earlier and more reliable detection of hearing problems in newborn babies, who will be tested while they are still in hospital.

The area's three primary care trusts have funded the service, although it will be run from East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Nine "screeners" have been recruited to work in the hospitals.

Mothers are offered the screen in hospital and those who are not tested, usually because of early discharge, are given appointments to attend outpatient clinics held at the hospitals where babies can have the tests at a later date.

Babies who do not have a clear response from one or both ears are given an appointment to attend the audiology clinic at either Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Burnley General Hospital or Nelson Audiology Clinic, where any problems will be investigated and treated.

Until now, tests have only been carried out when parents have become concerned at their child's unresponsiveness -- by which time the damage could already have been done

Identifying hearing impairment at an early age reduces the impact the disability has on developing language skills and social and emotional development.

The service is led by Dr Annabel Dodds, Consultant Audiologist at the East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust.

Dr Dodds said: "Approximately 900 babies are born every year in the UK with a permanent hearing loss.

"This is not a large number of children over the entire UK but the potential ramifications of a permanent congenital hearing impairment can be substantial for both the children and their families.

"The aim of the screening programme is to identify 90 per cent of children with moderate to profound permanent childhood hearing impairment within eight weeks and 100 per cent by 24 weeks of life."

Dr Ellis Friedman, Director of Public Health for Burnley Pendle and Rossendale Primary Care Trust, added: "This is an important new screening service which will lead to the early detection of hearing problems. Early detection allows earlier treatment and better outcomes for children".

The screening causes no discomfort to the baby and in many instances can be undertaken whilst the infant is feeding or asleep.

Information leaflets about the screening are available in English, Urdu, Bengali, and Punjabi. Videos are available in the same languages and also BSL and with subtitles.

If parents have any questions or would like further information they can contact Gillian Mullaney on 01254 293265.