FEATURE

Quebec to Launch Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program!

Dr. Yves Bolduc, the Quebec Minister of Health and
Social Services announced in May that the
Government of Quebec will launch a Universal
Newborn Hearing Screening Program (UNHS).

“We were thrilled to hear the news,” says Mr. Claudio Bussandri, chair and Dr. Hema Patel, co-chair of the Coalition and pediatrician at The Montreal Children’s Hospital of the MUHC. “On behalf of the coalition, we want to publicly thank Dr.Bolduc for announcing that his government will establish a universal newborn hearing screening program. This cost-effective program will have a profound impact for
babies with hearing loss. It will literally change their lives. A universal program means that all Quebec newborns will soon benefit from hearing screening.”

VOICE wishes to congratulate all the members of the Quebec Coalition for UNHS and especially thank Dr. Hema Patel and Montreal VOICE Chapter members for their participation in this important initiative.

Hearing loss is the most common birth defect affecting 1 to 3 of every 1,000 newborns. Newborn hearing screening is essential. It is a simple, inexpensive test that is able to detect hearing problems in newborns. This allows these children to be treated early enabling them to reach their full potential.

Most provinces in Canada now have a universal infant hearing screening program with the exception of the Prairie Provinces. Almost all developed nations in the world have established successful UNHS programs. Even Poland, Estonia, Nigeria, Mexico and Brazil have UNHS. VOICE for Hearing Impaired Children wants to assure that all Canadian families have access to universal infant hearing screening
and consistent with our Mission, access to the supports and services that will enable them to learn to listen and to speak.

When identified early and given access to hearing technology and Auditory Verbal Therapy the majority of children born with hearing loss today will learn to listen and speak.

Strong political leadership is needed to mandate universal infant hearing screening in our Canadian health system supporting this very small but vulnerable population of deaf and hard of hearing children. The cost to society of failing to screen children for hearing loss at birth is significant. Screening children in infancy gives them the potential for a lifetime of listening; a lifetime of opportunities in a hearing society – a VOICE for life!

Merci au ministre Yves Bolduc!