Within the Ministry of Health’s Newborn Hearing Screening Program, there are two types of centers: screening centers and reference centers. The screening center is where hearing tests are performed within the first 72 hours after birth. The reference center, on the other hand, is a higher-level facility where diagnostic tests are conducted for babies who did not pass the initial screening.
Speech is the most commonly used form of communication. Infants and children learn to speak by listening to the speech around them, and normal language development is only possible with healthy hearing. Hearing loss prevents children from learning to speak, and as the degree of hearing loss increases, its negative impact on speech becomes more severe — to the point where speech cannot develop naturally. A child who cannot communicate verbally has limited interaction and inadequate stimulation, which adversely affects cognitive development and creativity. Children with hearing impairments may become irritable, withdrawn, and socially isolated because they cannot effectively express their emotions and needs. Early diagnosis and intervention are essential for normal speech and language development. Starting treatment promptly has positive effects on a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, and academic growth.
Our hospital includes both screening and reference centers within the Newborn Hearing Screening Program. It is fully equipped with the necessary technology and staffed by a team of qualified specialists to provide comprehensive newborn hearing screening and diagnostic services.
