THE Department of Health (DOH)-Ilocos Region distributed 10 newborn hearing screening units to selected DOH hospitals, provincial and district health facilities as well as rural health units (RHUs).

DOH Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco said the provision of these newborn hearing screening units, valued at over P1 million each, will enhance existing facilities, which facilitate the immediate diagnosis and prompt intervention needed to prevent hearing loss in newborns.

There are currently two hearing screening reference centers in the region: the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Batac City and the Region 1 Medical Center in Dagupan City.

Among the facilities in Pangasinan that received the new units are the Conrado F. Estrella Regional Medical Center, Mapandan Community Hospital, Sual Primary Care Facility – Infirmary, and Anda Rural Health Unit.

Nicole Marie Bugarin, the regional coordinator for Newborn Screening, emphasized the importance of this procedure in identifying infants with hearing impairments, a condition that often does not present obvious symptoms.

She explained that newborn hearing screenings should be conducted within the first four weeks, or 28 days, of an infant’s life. A delay in detecting hearing disorders can lead to delays in intervention, which may impact a child’s speech, language, and psychological development.

The newborn hearing screening is included in the Newborn Care Package provided by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation for its members.

The newborn hearing screening machine, or OAE (Otoacoustic Emissions) unit, evaluates the response of the inner ear to sounds, typically conducted on infants and young children.

Two personnel from the recipient hospitals underwent training on the proper use of the equipment and completed a one-day Newborn Hearing Screening Personnel Certification Course, conducted by the Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center. (Ahikam Pasion)

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