The test, which costs about $35 per child, is quick and painless. Tiny microphones are placed in the baby’s ears while a laptop-style machine measures the brain’s response to sound. Babies who fail the screening are sent to a specialist who can diagnose a hearing loss.

In 1993, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommended that all newborns be screened for hearing loss before being discharged from the hospital. So far, 20 states have passed mandatory legislation. In Minnesota, bills have twice failed to make hearing screening a law. However, the state health department isn’t deterred. Along with 19 other states, Minnesota officials have implemented an intensive voluntary program. The goal is to screen 85 percent of all newborns by year-end 2000.

Just two years ago, only 8 percent of all Minnesota babies were screened for hearing — and most of those were high-risk babies in neo-natal and intensive care units. Today, officials estimate 70 percent of all newborns in Minnesota are being screened.

There is a lot of interest and enthusiasm out there on the part of hospitals,” said Pat Rice, an audiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health and advocate for universal screening. But, she says, because there is not 100 percent participation, “We need parents demanding that their babies be screened.”

Most new parents think that by clapping their hands, they will be able to tell that their newborn can or can’t hear. However, it’s not that simple, particularly if the child has only a partial impairment. Many children can hear some noise, but not the full range of sounds that make up human speech. So a child may turn her head in response to the tinkling of a mobile, but not be able to understand her mother’s cooing.

These children typically aren’t picked up until they fail to start speaking at 2 or 3. That’s why screening all newborns is necessary to catch children early enough to make a real difference. In fact, recent research shows that children with normal cognitive ability who are identified with a hearing impairment before 6 months old develop language skills similar to that of normal-hearing children.

While universal screening continues to make a headway, some obstacles still exist.

According to Christine Yoshinaga-Itano, Ph.D., of the Marion Downs National Center in Colorado (a resource center for voluntary screening programs), many hospitals are wondering where the money to test all babies will come from. Multiply the cost of the test in thousands and add that to the cost of other procedures done at the time of birth, she says, and it becomes a huge obstacle for large hospitals.

• First, make sure your child is tested early for hearing loss — before six months. That test needs to be more than just clapping, experts say. It should, for example, include a squeaky toy held completely out of the child’s sight.
• Your child also should be tested at every doctor’s visit. Hearing loss can develop at any time and chronic ear infections can cause problems.
• If you suspect a problem, act quickly. Get your child tested immediately. And if there is a problem, get appropriate help.
• Be informed. You can obtain a packet of information from the Minnesota Department of Health by calling Pat Rice at 507/332-5481 or by sending an e-mail to pat.rice@health.state.mn.us.

An unprecedented 25 percent of the adults screened were referred for further evaluation. Juneteenth, the largest African-American celebration in the Twin Cities, is an important event for SHA and MAO because African-Americans are at the highest risk for developing glaucoma.

Husband: Doug

Children: Emily, 11; Anna, 4

Residence: Minneapolis

Favorite food: If chocolate were counted as one of the major food groups — it would have to be CHOCOLATE!

Favorite movie: The original classic version of Wuthering Heights with Merle Oberon and Sir Laurence Olivier.

Former Life: Executive Director of Our Saviour’s Housing in Minneapolis.

What interested you about SHA? I was very impressed with the integrity, stability and longevity of this organization. I have always been interested in programs that work toward prevention and education. It was clear to me that the board and staff are very dedicated to the mission of SHA and I am thrilled to be part of the team!

What is one major goal you would like to accomplish in the next year? To nurture the partnerships we currently have and to expand on our fantastic screening programs.

Lawn trimmers alone cause over 1,500 eye injuries a year. Scratches to the eye caused by tree or bush branches, as well as mulch, send many to a doctor’s office or an emergency room. Also, burns and eye irritations caused by fertilizers and weed killers can occur.

Answers:

1. Child playing near lawn mower. Keep bystanders out of the “line of fire.” Rocks or sticks can shoot out from underneath the mower, creating a flying eye hazard.
2. Adult wearing stereo headphones instead of ear protection. A lawn mower emits approximately 90 dB of sound. Always wear earplugs or earmuffs when mowing the lawn and never try to drown out one sound with another sound. For instance, you would need to crank music up to a dangerous level in order to hear it over the roar of a lawn mower or other power tool.
3. Adult not wearing protective eyewear. Regular eyeglasses or contact lenses will not protect against eye hazards. Protective eyewear should be worn over corrective lenses. Polycarbonate safety goggles that meet ANSI Z87 standards are ideal. Watch for low-hanging branches and pick up all sticks, stones, glass, metal and wire from the area you are working.