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Isaac, a four-year-old boy, has been using hearing aids for most of his life, currently sporting his favorite blue and orange pair. His hearing loss, which affects both ears permanently, was detected shortly after birth through a newborn hearing screening program. This early diagnosis has been crucial for Isaac and his family, allowing them to begin interventions without delay.
Isaac’s mother, Louise McAleenan, expressed deep gratitude for having accepted the screening offer. She believes it has profoundly influenced Isaac’s development and encouraged other parents to take advantage of similar tests. Louise emphasized the importance of the early referral and diagnosis, explaining that the four years since have been invaluable for helping Isaac meet his needs and flourish. She remarked, “I can’t imagine what Isaac would be like now had he not had that test… waiting lists and things like that, I think that would have had a massive impact in how he has flourished.”
As someone who works with children who have special needs, Louise acknowledges that while learning Isaac had a hearing impairment was challenging, she was not shaken by the news. She did, however, feel a significant responsibility to ensure his condition did not hinder his life. She shared her perspective: “I have the privilege of working with children with a range of abilities and disabilities, and I see first hand what beautiful lives they lead and how everybody does look different and can still live a very fulfilling life.” Thanks to early access to services, Isaac has been able to develop language skills effectively and attend a mainstream school, which he enjoys.
Isaac’s hearing loss is sensorineural, caused by damage to the inner ear or hearing nerve, making it harder for him to detect soft sounds and diminishing sound quality. He received hearing aids when he was eight months old, a moment his mother calls “a big day” that transformed his life. Louise explains that Isaac belongs both to the deaf community and the hearing world due to his aids, which allow him to experience sound, albeit differently than others. She noted that without them, life would be more difficult for him, as the amplification requires his brain to work extra hard to process sounds. Wearing his hearing aids has become a natural part of him—“He just wears them the same way that you and I would a watch.” Additionally, early screening led to swift treatment for glue ear with vents, avoiding the delays of waiting lists.
Newborn hearing screening is vital, given that one or two babies out of every 1,000 are born with permanent hearing loss. Martina Rafferty, a screener with the Belfast Trust, described the testing process: a small tip placed in the baby’s ear plays faint sounds, and the system measures the ear’s response. If the readings are clear, the baby passes, indicating normal development. Since some babies may initially fail due to ear debris or background noise, tests are typically repeated. Follow-up screenings and eventual referrals to audiology provide thorough assessment and diagnosis.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) reports that the screening program has reached nearly half a million babies. Dr. Adrian Mairs, a public health consultant with the PHA, highlighted the program’s goal: “We know that early identification, early diagnosis and early intervention is associated with a better outcome for these children, in particular in relation to speech and language development.” This early detection and support pave the way for children like Isaac to develop their full potential
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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