Newborn hearing screening begins today

Up to two babies in every 1,000 are born with a hearing loss in one or both ears

From today, all babies born at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) will be offered a free hearing screening test prior to their discharge from hospital.

CUMH is the first hospital in the country to implement the new National Hearing Screening Programme. Until now, a baby’s hearing has not generally been tested until their seven-to-nine month development check.

Currently in Ireland, one to two babies in every 1,000 are born with a hearing loss in one or both ears.

“The earlier that a hearing loss can be picked up in a baby, the better the outcome that baby will have. It is therefore very important to screen all babies at an early stage. Most babies born with a hearing loss are born into families with no history of hearing loss,” explained consultant ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon, Mr Peter O’Sullivan, who is also chairperson of the Cork Newborn Hearing Screening Implementation Group.

The test is available free of charge for all babies. Any baby who does not have a clear response in one or both ears from the test will be sent for a full audiological (hearing) assessment at an audiology clinic in Cork University Hospital (CUH) shortly after discharge.

The hearing test will be carried out by a trained hearing screener while the baby is settled or sleeping, usually at the mother’s bedside. The screener uses two non-invasive tests to screen the newborns’ hearing. Neither test causes any discomfort to the baby.

According to CUMH consultant neonatologist, Dr Brendan Paul Murphy, this new screening programme aims to identify hearing impairment as soon as possible after birth ‘to give babies a better chance of developing speech and language skills and to make the most of social and emotional interaction from an early age’.

“We now have a programme in place to deliver this to all our newborns. Babies who spend time in a special care baby unit have a higher incidence of hearing loss. These babies will be tested during their time in the unit,” Dr Murphy explained.

The referral rates for babies to the HSE audiology clinic who fail the test is expected to be relatively low – about 2-4% of all babies tested. The referral does not necessarily mean that a baby has or will have a hearing loss. It could also be due to a number of other factors, including:

-The baby may have been too unsettled at the time of the screening test
-The baby may have had fluid, or a temporary blockage, in the ears after the birth
-There may have been too much background noise in the room when the screening test was carried out.

Babies born through the HSE’s homebirths scheme will also be included in the programme. Arrangements are in place to have their hearing tested at an outpatients clinic at the hospital within weeks of the babies’ birth.

Meanwhile, according to the CEO of CUH, Tony McNamara, this programme will benefit both babies and their parents.

“Parents benefit from knowing their child has a hearing loss early as they are empowered to make informed choices and get the support they need. Early identification of hearing loss, followed by good support from health, education and social care can dramatically improve the child’s language and communication, leading to better educational outcomes,” he explained.

The introduction of a newborn hearing screening test was just one of a number of recommendations made by the National Audiology Review Group. Its report, the HSE National Audiology Review, which was published earlier this month, was highly critical of many aspects of audiological services in Ireland.

Baby Boomers Suffer Higher Percentage of Hearing Loss

Health officials say as much as 40 percent of baby boomers are suffering hearing loss.

“Your hearing appears stable, but you have suffered a mild to moderate hearing loss,”Director of Audiology Karen Mitchell said.

Mitchell is performing a checkup exam on 50-year-old Jay Blakeslee at the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center.

In fact, Blakeslee’s hearing loss is about 40 percent. He has worn hearing aids since his early 40s.

Blakeslee admits he spent his young adult days living in a loud world.

He said he played his cassette tapes on his Walkman and he played them loudly.

I had a roommate that loved to throw firecrackers into the bathroom when I was in there. It was very loud, and he did it a number of times,” Blakeslee said.

Blakeslee is not alone.

Health officials say as much as 40 percent of baby boomers are suffering hearing loss.

Dr. Mitchell said she has seen a definite spike among baby boomers during her 30 years at center.

A study between 1970 and 1991 showed 26 percent more people in the boomer-age range had hearing lossin ’91 compared to 1970. Boomers were the first to grow up with high-volume recreational noise exposure from concerts, blasting stereos, walkmans that we could crank up or other loud pastimes such as car races,Mitchell said.

The study was completed before iPods, MP3 players and the close-to-the-eardrum earbud headphones that are now standard equipment.

“They can produce a lot of sound pressure directly on the eardrum and into the inner ear. When you are using these devices for an extended amount of time above 95 decibels, damage can occur. It’s a cumulative effect, and once you have hearing loss due to noise exposure, that hearing loss is permanent,” Mitchell said.

You can purchase earbuds that will automatically control the volume.

Mitchell said there are three simple things you and your teens can do to protect your hearing: Back away from loud noise, turn it down and wear ear protection.

Mitchell said keeping your MP3 player turned up only halfway probably will keep the volume to a nondamaging level for extended use.

May is National Speech and Hearing Month, and the Columbus Speech and Hearing Center will offer free volume checks for people who use MP3 players.

For further Information contact Hidden Hearing

Puppy dumped for being deaf is given a new home… and learning sign language Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368728/Puppy-dumped-deaf-given-new-home–learning-sign-language.html#ixzz1JaODnT9Y

Abandoned by a breeder at only eight weeks old because she was deaf, Alice had a tough start in life.

But less than a month after her rescue, the springer spaniel is learning to recognise sign language commands with her new family.

Marie Williams, 41, and her partner Mark Morgan, 43, who are themselves both deaf, adopted the puppy from animal charity The Blue Cross.

And they call it puppy love…: Alice the springer spaniel was dumped by a breeder in Ireland at just eight-weeks-old because she was deaf

The couple and their three sons Liam, 16, Lewis, 13, and Owen, five, who have normal hearing, are teaching the affectionate spaniel sign language commands, including instructions for sit, come and roll over.

Miss Williams, from West Mersea, Essex, said: ‘We were thinking about getting a dog but when we saw Alice was deaf we just couldn’t believe it.

‘She was so beautiful and the fact that she was deaf just made us fall in love with her even more – we knew that she would fit right into our family.

‘When we went to visit her at the centre I had tears in my eyes because she was so cute and we bonded straight away.’

The distinctive spaniel, who has one blue eye, was dirty, sick and nervous when she was abandoned by a breeder who decided the deaf pup would not make him any money.

Staff at the The Blue Cross adoption centre in Lewknor, Oxfordshire were worried that prospective new owners would be put off by taking on a pup which would need lots of TLC and specialist training.

Learning fast: All it took to train Alice was a bit of patience and a lot of TLC

Quick learner: Alice has found her perfect match in couple Marie Williams (pictured), 41, and her partner Mark Morgan, 43, who are both deaf and who are now teaching her sign language

But less than a month after being rescued Alice was re-homed with the couple and their three sons who are teaching the affectionate pup sign language commands for sit, come and roll over.

Miss Williams added: ‘I feel so angry that someone abandoned her because in their eyes she was not “perfect”. It goes to show with a little effort it is easy to cope with a deaf puppy – she has already learned the signs for several basic commands.

‘I want everyone to see how well we have bonded to Alice and how well she is getting on – she is so special to us.’

Part of the family: Less than a month after being rescued, Alice was re-homed with Marie Williams and her family and has already learned sign language commands for sit, come and roll over

Julie Stone, manager of The Blue Cross animal adoption centre in Lewknor, said: ‘Alice is such a loving and responsive dog and she proves that with a bit of time and effort, a deaf dog can be trained and become a wonderful pet.

‘It was amazing to see how Marie, Mark and their children immediately bonded with Alice and how they knew just how to get her attention.

‘They are a brilliant match and Alice has found the perfect home where I know she will get the love she deserves.’

The Blue Cross, which relies entirely on public donations, re-homes thousands of dogs, cats, horses, and small animals every year through its network of adoption centres.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1368728/Puppy-dumped-deaf-given-new-home–learning-sign-language.html#ixzz1JaNq675v

NO NEED FOR 10,000 ADULTS TO WAIT FOR PUBLIC HEARING TESTS

Thursday 14^th April 2011: Hidden Hearing, Ireland’s leading provider of hearing healthcare today offered free hearing tests to all adults waiting for assessment through the HSE.  The ‘National Audiology Review’ published yesterday by the HSE estimates that 10,211 adults are languishing on community-based audiology waiting lists.  Hidden Hearing already provides over 30,000 free full hearing evaluations through its network of 63 branches and clinics nationwide, as well as a further 8,700 free hearing screenings through its mobile clinic which travels to 300 locations around the country annually.

“There is no need for people to be waiting so long for what is a relatively straightforward hearing assessment.  Hidden Hearing, has been offering this free service for 25 years and we would be delighted to assist anyone in the country who feels they need a test.  Our audiologists are fully qualified to the highest international standards and we will provide you with a full report very quickly – at absolutely no obligation.  People wait too long before getting a hearing issue examined, with adults delaying taking action for up to 15 years, so to have to wait any longer is most unsatisfactory”, said Medical Consultant to Hidden Hearing, Dr. Nina Byrnes.

She said that for adults in particular, the longer people wait to seek treatment, the longer the rehabilitation process can take.

Dr Byrnes said that among the 10,211 adults waiting for hearing assessments that it was likely that many people would not need hearing aids or further treatment and those people would be put at ease.  Anyone who required further steps would be advised of the options available to them.  Hidden Hearing’s services are fully recognised by the Department of Social Protection and people can avail of their PRSI entitlements in purchasing any hearing aids.

Dr Nina Byrnes Medical Consultant with Hidden Hearing

“The most important thing is that people do not sit back, wait and do nothing.  Hearing loss has a hugely detrimental impact on quality of life, with people feeling isolated, embarrassed and withdrawing from social interaction.  We would appeal to anyone who is worried about themselves, or a family member or friend to come and avail of our free test – they will feel a whole lot better afterwards”, said Dr. Byrnes.

Hidden Hearing has regularly highlighted that a lack of audiology training in Ireland was a serious issue in the provision of public services and the company has been arguing for many years that there needs to be a dedicated course in Ireland.   In the absence of such a course Hidden Hearing is committed to raising standards in the sector and its audiologists are trained to the highest international standards, many through the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists, and are members of the Irish Hearing Society (IHS) or Irish Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists (ISHAA).

Hidden Hearing invests €250,000 annually in Continuous Professional Development for staff and a further €200,000 on new audiometry and testing equipment.  Hidden Hearing was also instrumental in setting up an audiology course for dispensers in Ireland with Anglia Ruskin University in the UK and it is hoping to establish a similar course in Ireland through a university or private college.

For further information contact any Hidden Hearing branch in Northern Ireland or visit the website www.hiddenhearing.org

Digital Hearing Aids for the modern age

It’s well known that when you can not read the fine print more, we get glasses. We call the dentist when you have a toothache and we have never hesitated to seek care from a doctor with a broken bone. However, once we begin to lose our hearing, our solution is simply to increase the TV volume until nobody can hear anything but the noise of our television speakers on all audible sounds.

Why do we refuse to use hearing aids?

Why do we refuse to use hearing aids? The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders believe that twenty-eight million people are deaf. Hearing aids can help a wide range of issues canal. These new hearing aids are not the clumsy, the size of transistor radio with son dangling your grandparents wore, digital technology has made computers available to everyone now has been applied to improving hearing aids. Digital hearing aids use a computer chip with a small battery, a microphone and a receiver and are very easy to adjust to the needs of the user. You can more easily hide or conceal your hearing aid, and you can get it perfectly calibrated to your specific level of hearing. Like snowflakes, no two are exactly alike hearing impairment. For many people their problem is to distinguish the sounds down, but others will find it’s the higher frequencies they can not hear. Because of the inability to hear the different sound frequencies. Many people end up missing some words in normal conversation and continue to fulfill their white spots. Others simply a matter of volume. which is often the culprit behind the constant requests to “speak up” or “increase the volume.” Using a series of hearing tests, an audiologist can understand exactly what the adjustment of a hearing aid may need. They also recommend that people go for a test every year after that it might have some hearing loss. Hearing experts are available in three levels. The highest level is the otolaryngologist or ear, nose and throat. He is trained to diagnose and treat hearing disorders caused by medical conditions. A master’s degree is a minimum requirement for audiologists, while being allowed by the state they work in hearing aid do not need this high a level of education, but must still be certified by the State . More often, they are like traditional sellers and generally have an association with an individual hearing aid manufacturer. There are currently four types of hearing aids available. “Completely in the canal” hearing aids are smaller and more discreet.

Modern Digital Hearing Aids are discreet

They are also the most expensive. They are most often used for patients who have severe to profound hearing loss issues. Then there are the “in channel” devices. Although they are slightly larger than those just mentioned, they are still hidden away in the ear canal. These hearing aids require a channel battery a little bigger, and are recommended for mild to moderate cases of hearing loss. Then you have the “in ear” hearing aids. These can be viewed by people around the carrier, and are designed to treat a wide range of hearing disorders. “Behind the ear” hearing aids just go behind the ear, but they are large and require a huge battery, but they are most effective in noise amplification. You can still get analog hearing aids at low cost, but we must understand that they do not have the advanced technology of newer versions. There are several other facts you should know about the hearing. The cause is either an obstacle to the ear, or an illness or injury to the ear. About 95 percent of people with hearing problems can have their hearing loss corrected with hearing aids. In addition, among the younger generations, the statistics of hearing loss are increasing. For Further Information contact Hidden Hearing

Miley Cyrus in Listen Carefully Campaign

Miley Cyrus in the USA Listen Carefully campaign

Did you know there’s been a startling rise in hearing loss among teens? A 31% increase over the last decade to be exact these figures are from the USA.  The USA based Listen Carefully campaign kicks-off with a series of public service ads with a clear message –“your hearing is fragile, so don’t listen loudly, listen carefully.” In addition, the campaign will include digital media activities and the Starkey Hearing Foundation Listen Carefully Sweepstakes with recording artist and actress Miley Cyrus, who is also making an appearance in some of campaign ads.

Beginning April 4 through June 15, 2011, Miley Cyrus fans can enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a “listening experience” with the famous singer and actress during a soundcheck, as she prepares for her performance at the Starkey Hearing Foundation’s Annual Awards Gala on July 24 in Minneapolis, which the winner will also have an opportunity to attend, along with a guest.

“As an artist, I want to make sure fans are able to experience the magic of music as it was intended,”said Cyrus. “By just lowering the volume and using the right protection for your ears, hearing loss can be prevented, which means never losing the ability to enjoy the sound of a guitar, a beautiful lyric or a favorite song.”

Miley Cyrus first became involved with the Starkey Hearing Foundation during a recent trip to Haiti, where she joined the Foundation on a mission to distribute hearing aids to those in need. During the trip, Miley learned about the Listen Carefully campaign and was quick to jump on board to lend her support.

”With 6.5 million teens recognized with some level of hearing loss, and those numbers growing, it is important that we put information and tools in the hands of parents and young people on how one’s hearing is fragile and needs to be protected from the amped up volumes of the personal hearing devices that are prevalent today,” said Bill Austin, Chief Executive Officer of Starkey Laboratories and Founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. “The majority of teen hearing loss is preventable, and it is our hope that the Listen Carefully campaign, with support from entertainers like Miley Cyrus, can make a difference.”

According to the Starkey Hearing Foundation, loud sounds such as music pumping through headphones and ear buds at too high a volume, have the ability to destroy the tiny hair cells in the inner ear over time. These tiny hair cells are essential in converting sound waves into messages and nerve impulses that are sent to the brain as sounds. If just 30 percent of these hair cells are damaged or destroyed, one will experience hearing loss.

For more information on hearing loss visit www.hiddenhearing.org

Hearing Loss and Coronation Street

Coronation Street’s Rula Lenska has spoken on television about her hearing loss, which she only revealed publicly a few days ago to the press. Lenska, who plays hairdresser Claudia Colby in ITV Granada’s flagship serial, spoke on The Alan Titchmarsh Show about her hearing difficulty as part of promoting The Sound Barrier Star Awards that are overseen by Specsavers who operate hearing centres.

She told Alan, “It’s sad isn’t it that you feel scared to admitting it because you think people are going to judge you for it.”However the 63-year-old added that the hearing loss hadn’t affected being offered work thus far.

“One in seven people have hearing loss, and when do they ever go to get their ears checked. We all get our eyes checked, but we’re never told to get our ears checked and its not until you start losing your hearing that you realise how hard it is when you can’t hear everything you used to.” she added

Rula also famous for roles in dramas Rock Follies, Robin of Sherwood and Minder, sci-fi series Space 1999 and Doctor Who and soaps EastEnders and Coronation Street which she joined last year.

She went onto discuss how long her hearing had been in decline, “It began to be a problem about six or seven years ago… …and it’s a bit of a mystery as neither of my parents had any hearing loss and it doesn’t appear to be following the normal pattern of age related hearing loss.”

She suggested that it may be related to diving in her youth and loud music.

Lenska also dismissed on the chat show the Corrie gossip that she was to take over as landlady of the iconic Rovers Return Inn.

What exactly is sudden hearing loss and are there any treatments for sudden hearing loss ?

Sudden Hearing Loss Sudden sensorineural hearing loss is defined by a sudden loss of hearing within a 72 hour period, resulting in greater than a 30 dB drop in hearing for at least three consecutive test frequencies.

Sudden Hearing Loss Symptoms
Sudden hearing loss most typically occurs in one ear and varies in severity from patient to patient. For some, the onset of the sudden hearing loss is reported to have been noticed instantaneously, often in the morning. Others report the onset of hearing loss occurred over a period of hours or often days.

Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) typically accompanies sudden hearing loss. Vertigo (dizziness) has also been reported to be present in roughly 40% of sudden hearing loss cases.

Sudden Hearing Loss Causes
Although the exact cause of sudden hearing loss is unknown for most people, there are many potential causes of sudden hearing loss, including: viral infections, neurologic issues, metabolic and immunologic disease, toxicity, trauma to the inner ear, circulatory problems of the inner ear such as meniere’s disease, idiopathic (unknown) and others.

Sudden Hearing Loss Diagnosis and Treatment
People who experience a sudden loss of hearing should seek medical attention immediately from a qualified health professional.

The diagnosis of sudden hearing loss begins with having a full hearing evaluation to assess the amount of hearing loss that has occurred. Based on the audiogram and a full evaluation by a physician, the sudden hearing loss is diagnosed.

The physician may suspect possible causes based on case history and the physical evaluation. Blood work and imaging tests are also often recommended to rule out possible medical causes.

Treatment for sudden hearing loss has been controversial and inconsistent among physicians due to the fact the cause of the sudden hearing loss is often unknown. According to research presented at the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery Foundation meeting in 2008, there are no official guidelines or position statements regarding the evaluation and treatment of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (Friedland and Shemirani, 2008).

Currently the most common forms of treatment include oral-steroids and anti-viral medication prescribed typically by either a family physician or an otolaryngologist (ENT).

Between 32%–65% of patients who experience sudden sensorineural hearing loss will recover. Recovery is more likely to occur if the time between onset of symptoms and treatment is a short interval, vertigo is absent, a mild to moderate hearing loss, a mid-frequency/upsloping audiometric pattern, and the patient’s age is of 15–40 years old. “Because the chance of recovery is greater if the hearing loss is treated early—and because a significant percentage of patients do not recover their hearing—evaluation of treatment options is critical”

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IRELAND’S FIRST SURVEY ON HEARING LOSS IMPACT

Findings from the Independent B and A Research Survey

Hidden Hearing's MD Stephen Leddy, Mkt Manager Dolores Madden with Daniel O'Donnel at the launch of the key findings from the recent B&A Independent research report. Online hearing tests are available at http://www.hearingawarenessweek.ie. Hidden Hearing for HAW has conducted Ireland’s first research into the impact of hearing loss, which has explored the psychological impact of hearing loss on individuals, and also the impact on their families / friends. Key Research conducted with 750 hearing loss sufferers and their families / friends: Half of respondents (49%) said that encouragement from family and friends influenced them to seek treatment for their hearing loss. 57% of hearing loss sufferers said the volume of the television was one of the initial indicators of their hearing loss. More than half (52%) said they pretended to hear what people were saying. Four in ten (40%) said the fact that they had difficulty hearing the TV and radio was the key influence in them seeking treatment.

Half of those surveyed (51%) said that their hearing loss made them less comfortable in groups and one in five (20%) said they avoided talking on the phone. 37% of respondents said they felt frustrated when they realized they had a problem with their hearing, one in three (33%) of respondents said that they felt embarrassed, one in five (19%) said they felt old and one in five (19%) said they felt isolated. 70% of respondents took more than one year to take action, and one quarter of respondents waited more than five years to seek treatment, often prompted by loved ones, who believed the sufferers were in denial. for more information visit hearing awareness week website.

www.hearingawarenessweek.ie