A SCHEME to test the hearing of babies as young as two weeks old is being pioneered in Trafford.

Previously the first test for most babies was not carried out until they were eight months old.

But now the hearing of the 3,000 infants born in the borough each year is assessed within a few weeks with a hi-tech 'echo test' - so any hearing problems are diagnosed and treated at a very early stage.

The £13 test takes just three to five minutes - an ear phone is linked to a computer which reveals if there are any problems in the inner ear.

Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust began examining every baby in the borough in this way eight months ago, although high risk groups have been given the test for five years. But previously the other 90 per cent of infants were not given a conventional hearing test by a health visitor until they were about eight months old, and often did not see a specialist until they were 12 months.

Trafford is one of only two areas in the country to introduce universal neo-natal hearing assessment, the other one is Chesterfield.

Dr Paramesh Kuna, consultant community paediatrician in audiology, says: "It is a very quick, non-invasive test that does not hurt the baby. It means we can diagnose and treat any problems at a very early stage.

"If the hearing is defective it can also affect the linguistic, emotional, social and intellectual development.

"Parents are very pleased with what we are doing. Trafford is pioneering this and I am sure it is something that will be introduced in other areas of the country."

Between four and six of every thousand babies have moderate, severe or profound hearing problems, while 20 per cent have middle ear problems which can be easily treated and cured.

The tests are carried out by Dr Kuna's team at their base at Timperley Health Centre, on Grove Lane, and at other health centres throughout the borough.

Dr Kuna adds: "The credit for introducing this system goes to my paediatric colleagues, especially Dr Richard Campbell, the midwives at Trafford General, the administrators and my staff at Timperley Health Centre."

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