Thanks to a nationwide newborn hearing screening programme, any hearing difficulties your newborn may have are now detected at birth, enabling earlier intervention and support than ever before.
Case Study
Now 3 years old, Nikita was diagnosed as profoundly deaf through the newborn hearing screening programme just weeks after being born at Waikato Hospital. She received a cochlear implant at 8 months and now attends weekly Auditory-Verbal Therapy sessions at The Hearing House in Auckland.
Her mum, Kelly, has embraced the need to constantly encourage her daughter’s language development. Their dedication is paying off. “People are pretty dumbfounded that she is a deaf child, yet she speaks so clearly,” Kelly says. Nikita’s rapid language acquisition highlights the incredible value of newborn hearing screenings and early cochlear implantation for families pursuing spoken communication.
Are Newborn Hearing Screenings Routine?
Yes! The newborn hearing screening programme is now fully implemented across all district health boards in New Zealand. Every newborn has the opportunity to be tested, ensuring early identification and support for hearing difficulties.
What Do Newborn Hearing Screenings Involve?
The screening process is simple, non-invasive, and painless. A small device emits gentle “click” sounds and measures the baby’s ear response to determine if hearing is functioning normally.
Benefits of Early Testing
Early detection means children with hearing loss can receive intervention sooner. Many children now develop age-appropriate language by 18 months, compared to previous decades when diagnoses often came at 35 months or later. Interventions like cochlear implants or hearing aids provide hearing-impaired children with the tools to listen and communicate effectively.
What Is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is a medical device that provides sound perception to individuals with severe or profound hearing loss. Unlike hearing aids, which amplify existing sound, cochlear implants allow profoundly deaf children to access sound for the first time.
Children with mild or moderate hearing loss benefit from hearing aids, which amplify sounds they already hear, making them easier to process.
How Can Auditory-Verbal Therapy Help?
Auditory-Verbal Therapy (AVT) is a specialised, intensive therapy that helps children develop natural speech through listening. It accelerates language development, enabling children to “catch up” and communicate like their hearing peers.
Therapists teach parents how to foster language development at home, making them key players in the process. The Hearing House in Auckland is a leading provider of AVT for children with cochlear implants and hearing aids.
Modern Support for Families
Parents now have access to a range of free or subsidised services, including hearing screenings, therapy, and support groups. Early detection and intervention not only improve a child’s ability to communicate but also enhance their overall quality of life.
For more information, visit The Hearing House or check with your local health provider.
Mary Jane is Fundraising and Communications Manager for The Hearing House, a registered charity, responsible for helping hundreds of deaf children learn how to listen and talk. For more information, phone 09 579 2333 or email maryjane@hearinghouse.co.nz.
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