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Australia to test newborns for hearing problems

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-06-29 16:47

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced on Monday a new plan to test every newborn child for hearing impairments.

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Under the new policy, which could be in place by next year, every newborn child would be tested and fitted with hearing aids or cochlear implants where necessary.

"At the moment, across Australia, only an average of 75 percent of children are being tested for hearing impairments at a young age," Rudd told reporters in Sydney.

"We can do better than that. Within 18 months we want every newborn child in Australia to be screened."

Rudd was speaking during a visit to the Shepherd Centre for deaf and hearing impaired children.

Bruce Shepherd, who established the Shepherd Centre in the 1970s, added, "This is so important. It is important these children are allowed to become productive members of the community. "