WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government says it will bring in hearing tests for all newborns in the province starting Sept. 1.
Health Minister Kelvin Goertzen says early detection helps children with congenital hearing loss get the treatment they need quickly.
The government says 16,000 to 17,000 babies are born in Manitoba each year and between 17 and 102 children newborns have some hearing loss.
Screening services are now available at 13 health-care facilities across the province.
Babies born at home or in facilities with fewer than 75 births a year are to be referred to the nearest outpatient hearing centre for screening.
A common database will ensure infants born in one region and living in another will have co-ordinated care.
