Doctors want screening of newborns for hearing defects a must

Doctors want tests to detect hearing ability in newborns be made mandatory in the country as it would help early treatment of both hearing as well as speech-related problems.
Many countries have made hearing screening mandatory, ENT surgeon Dr Milind Kirtane said in an interaction with the media here today on International Week of the Deaf.
"If the hearing problem is detected within the first three months of the birth, treatment can start early and such babies can develop speaking capacity just like normal ones," he said.
The International Week of the Deaf is observed annually during the last full week of September to draw attention of people to the achievements of Deaf people and concerns of the Deaf community.

Audiologist and speech and language therapist, Dr Priya Bhale said, "A baby learns to speak after hearing sounds in its surroundings but hearing impairment hinders this process, hence screening is necessary.