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Return To Hearing Article Archive   Search the Article Archives New Support for Single Ear Hearing Loss By Janet Granger-Wilcox Since it was introduced in December 2002, newborn hearing screening in NSW has led to some spectacular benefits for deaf children. Early diagnosis, combined with technology such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, and expert early intervention, mean these children have greater opportunities than ever before to reach their full potential. But there have also been benefits that supporters of the scheme never expected. One is that, for the first time, children with unilateral (single ear) hearing loss are regularly detected at birth. Previously, their loss wasnt usually detected until their early school years, or even later. Staff at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) discovered that families whose baby has unilateral hearing loss experienced the same sense of grief and confusion as families of babies with loss in both ears - but there was minimal support available for them. RIDBC now provides these families with information sessions and packs, contact with other parents, audiological and language assessments, and support from speech pathologists and teachers if needed. 'There has been an assumption that most children with a loss in only one ear can manage fairly well on their own,' said Manager of Childrens Services, Jan North. 'But weve learned that it is better if parents help their children to learn ways to make the best possible use of the hearing they have. 'Parents also need to be alert to the possibility of reduced hearing which may result from a severe cold. 'In a minority of cases, some children with unilateral hearing loss may subsequently lose hearing in both ears and miss out on crucial language development opportunities.' RIDBCs next information session for families of children with single ear hearing loss is on 13 November at its North Rocks campus, Sydney. Videoconference sessions, phone advice and information packs are also available for families across Australia outside the Sydney metropolitan region. For further information, contact RIDBC on (02) 9872 0347 or 1300 131 923. Deafness and blindness are serious disabilities. RIDBC regularly assists more than 700 children, and their families, and provides hearing or vision screening for thousands more. It relies heavily on community support to be able to continue to make a difference in childrens lives. For media inquiries please contact Janet Granger-Wilcox on 9872 0334 or 0409 029 298. About the Author: The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) is Australias premier provider of educational services to children with hearing and/or vision impairment.More information about the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children can be found at www.ridbc.org.au Audiology Today

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