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Newborn screening in Ontario expanding to include hearing loss risk

Ontario will be the first province in Canada to test newborns for potential hearing loss.

Ontario's newborn screening program includes testing for metabolic, endocrine, haematologic and respiratory disease, and at the end of July, it will also include the permanent hearing loss risk test as well. 

On Wednesday, at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Health Minister Christine Elliot announced that Ontario would be the first province in Canada to include the hearing loss risk test as part of the newborn screening process. 

"With this test, we anticipate being able to identify approximately 100 additional babies each year, who might be at risk of permanent hearing loss," Elliot explained. 

The Minister said that this would allow for earlier diagnosis and intervention. 

"When a baby screens positive, a referral is made for audiology and medical follow up as needed." 

Newborns in Ontario are screened within the first 24 to 48 hours of life.

The testing is done by taking a blood sample through a heel prick. 

The new test will not require an additional blood test. 


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Jenn Pritchard

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