As late identification of hearing problems among the newborns can result in permanent hearing loss, newborn screening has been given a priority. Any delay in the identification causes a hurdle in the successful management of children with hearing loss.
AIISH says global standards prescribe that hearing loss should be confirmed by two months of age and treated by three months of age but the age of identification in India is late (beyond 3 years).
Therefore, AIISH has joined hands with the Department of Health and Family Welfare to educate the medical teams working under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and District Early Intervention Centre (DEIC) on early screening of communication disorders in children. With this, newborn screening has been expanded with the number of births being on the rise.
