Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Steve Montgomery
smontgomery@oz-systems.com
214.212.0304

Tasmania Leads the Way on Newborn Hearing Tests
Lara Giddings, MP - Minister for Health

Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - Health Minister Lara Giddings today welcomed the Commonwealth’s announcement of a national hearing testing program for all newborn babies, and said Tasmania was already close to reaching universal coverage. Ms Giddings said Tasmania is on track to achieve universal hearing screening for all newborn babies by the end of this month – well ahead of the Commonwealth’s target. “I am delighted that a State Government initiative has already made Tasmania a leader in an area which has the potential to transform the lives of children with hearing problems,” Ms Giddings said. “Labor went to the last State election with a promise to provide $1.3 million over four years to develop a Statewide newborn hearing screening service as a key priority. The program was funded in the 2006 State Budget and already has been rolled out at most hospitals where babies are delivered, with universal screening of all newborns just days away. Tasmania’s current screening rate is 80% and the impending inclusion of private maternity hospitals will assist in the move to universal coverage.  The screening rate in other States and Territories varies from 95% to less than 40%.”

Ms Giddings said hearing screening was currently performed at the Launceston General, the North West Private, Mersey and the Royal Hobart hospitals, as well as at the North East Soldiers’ Memorial. “The screening program has been extended to Hobart Private Hospital this week and will start at Calvary Hospital by the end of the month. The aim of the program is to screen every newborn baby in Tasmania for hearing issues. Some 8,500 babies have been screened since the program started in December 2007. And over this time 14 infants have been diagnosed with permanent hearing loss. Some 5,000 babies have been screened during the past 12 months alone, and seven of these have been diagnosed with permanent hearing loss. This early detection program has enabled all babies born with significant or permanent hearing loss to receive treatment at an early stage. And that early treatment is leading to improved long-term educational, social and employment outcomes. Historically, the detection of hearing problems prior to the commencement of the Statewide service was on average at three years of age. However, children diagnosed at this later stage have experienced poor language and educational outcomes. The resulting long-term special education costs are very high for these children". In contrast, many children with hearing loss that is now being identified early are entering mainstream school with an age appropriate language. These children are in fact two and a half times more likely to have normal language development when compared with those who were identified late,” Ms Giddings said.

Ms Giddings said the program also had the potential for long-term cost savings for the community.

Further information: Tasmanian Government Communications - Unit Phone: (03) 6233 6573

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