NEWLY born babies at the Commonwealth Health Center are now being screened for any possible hearing problem, according to acting Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider.
The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, which is now implemented throughout the U.S., is intended to ensure the early detection of any hearing loss or abnormalities among newly born babies.
Hofschneider, in an interview yesterday, said the new medical service at CHC is provided free of charge.
An average of 104 babies are born each month at CHC.
Pete Untalan, special assistant to the health secretary, said CHC received a federal grant to cover the program costs.
“Every child born here is automatically tested. That’s a standard of care introduced for pediatric patients by the American Association of Pediatricians. The federal government makes the money available,” Untalan said.
The federal grant, according to Untalan, is enough to cover for the salary of CHC’s lone otologist or ear doctor.
Schools also refer students to CHC for ear screening. However, there is a low incident of hearing problems among school children, Untalan said.
