BABIES in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire are to benefit from a new hearing screening programme.

The Newborn Hearing Screening Wales programme is being extended. Screeners, based at the West Wales General Hospital, Carmarthen, will work across the three counties and have been trained to offer the tests in the first few days of a baby's life.

Dr Cerilan Rogers, director of Newborn Hearing Screening Wales, explains: "The programme allows children born with a severe permanent hearing impairment to be identified at an earlier stage, on average, than present. The identification enables the earlier provision of the right services which will help the child to develop better language and communication skills."

Dr Elaine English, mid and west Wales divisional co-ordinator, said: "Most babies will be screened on the maternity ward, but there are babies who will require a test in the community and the screener will visit the family at home, or arrange a visit to a local clinic. Leaflets have been developed to explain the scheme to parents".

A small number of babies will need further tests, in a special hospital clinic run by audiologists, if neither ear shows a clear response after the screening tests. Professionals experienced in working with children who have a hearing loss will offer support to the child and family.

Around 32,000 babies are born in Wales each year in 28 maternity units and about 40 with severe, permanent hearing problems will be detected.

Following the recommendations of an expert advisory group of health and other professionals, Velindre NHS Trust was asked by the Assembly to implement the new programme.

Parents and parents-to-be can find out more about the new free health screen by visiting the NBHSW website at: www.velindre-tr.wales.nhs.uk/nbhsw.