§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those health authorities which screen children's hearing at or shortly after birth. [9917]
§ Mr. BoatengMost health authorities screen children who are at risk of permanent childhood hearing impairment soon after birth. We are currently considering ways in which the screening system for children with hearing impairment can be improved and extended, so that more children with PCHI can be identified and treated earlier in life. The Medical Research Council's Institute of Hearing Research recently published a report on the national provision of neonatal screening for hearing impairment, which we shall take into account. The report, entitled, "Critical Review of the Role of Neonatal Screening in the Identification of Childhood Hearing Impairment", will be placed in the Library shortly.