More than 98 percent of local newborns in Shanghai receive a hearing test and most children with congenital hearing difficulties get treatment in time to aid their language development, local medical experts said yesterday.
   
As today is National Ear Care Day, the Ministry of Health will hold a symposium at Shanghai Xinhua Hospital to promote Shanghai's experiences to 10 provinces and municipalities.
   
Shanghai started screening newborns in 2002 and designated Xinhua Hospital and Shanghai Children's Medical Center as the city's treatment centers for children with hearing problems.
   
All newborns in the city are supposed to have their hearing checked within three days of birth.
   
Those who fail the first test should undergo a second check within 42 days.
   
"If inborn hearing problems are detected, doctors will start to provide treatment within six months," said Dr Shen Xiaoming, a member of the children health protection branch of the China Preventative Medical Association. "With early medication, surgery and installation of hearing aids and man-made cochleas with effective training, such children can avoid bad impacts on language growth,'' Shen said. "Some can even learn to speak as well as healthy children."
   
Experts said the key periods for language development are between four and nine months and two and three years of age. Children can have serious speaking problems or be left completely mute if they have not received treatment on hearing problems at these stages in development.
   
Previously, newborns didn't have their hearing checked until they were at least one year old, often only after parents realized something was wrong.

(Shanghai Daily March 3, 2005)