Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 7, Number 7, 1 Iulai 1990 — New law affects babies with hearing loss [ARTICLE]

New law affects babies with hearing loss

Babies born with hearing problems will be helped by a new program. Hawai'i now has a statewide early identification and intervention program for hearing loss in babies. The program is the first step towards eomprehensive services for hearing impared children and their families. The Family Service Division of the state Department of Health will use the provi-

sions.of the bill to start early detection programs. Ten to 12 percent of newborn babies have a serious risk for some degree of hearing imparement. The loss of hearing limits a child's ability to leam to talk and think. In Hawai'i about 2,000 newborns, every year, have a hearing imparement and will need to be mo-

nitored onee they leave the newborn nursery. Of these 2.000 babies, at least 120 will have significant hearing loss. And the probability is that another 200 will have severe hearing loss by the time they are 5-years-old. Geri Marullo, deputv health di ector for the Public Health Service said, "This law will let us get in early and identify these 320 kids and get them help right away."

The law went into effect July 1. Gov. John Waihee signed the bill May 24 during Better Hearing and Speech Month. Anyone seeking more information is asked to contact Carolyn Canubida at Family Health Services, 735-2978.