KLANG: There were 40,743 registered hearing-impaired adults and children in Malaysia as of Dec 31, 2021, says Khairy Jamaluddin.

       However, the Health Minister said the numbers were lower than that of previous surveys.

       Given this, he urged those who are hearing-impaired to get registered to ensure they receive the opportunities that are available for them.

       Khairy said in his speech, at the launch of the national-level of the World Hearing Day 2022 at Serdang Hospital, that the government was doing the necessary to identify hearing problems from an early age.

       “In line with the Disabled People’s Act 2008 (Akta OKU 2008), the Health Ministry has taken steps to identify hearing problems from an early age through the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS).

       “Through this screening programme, it was found that permanent hearing disability was four cases for every 1,000 babies screened,’’ said Khairy.

       There were currently 44 public hospitals nationwide that carried out the UNHS programme.

       According to Khairy, so far only 62% of newborn babies had undergone screening for hearing problems under the programme.

       He said that the numbers must be improved in order to meet the 95% and above target set by the International Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH).

       Khairy added it was crucial to detect hearing loss among babies and children as it was a hidden disability and failure of early detection would adversely impact their future.

       “Because of this, I hope we can expand this programme and I want the UNHS for babies born in Malaysia to be made a national health agenda to be in line with the practice in developed nations,’’ said Khairy.

       The minister said the main challenges faced in carrying out the screening exercise was acquiring more and up to date equipment, having sufficient experts such as audiologists and support groups as well as coordination and collaboration among ministry, state and hospitals.

       Given the challenges as well as the government’s target to increase hearing impairment screening of newborn babies, Khairy said he wanted the current National Ear and Hearing Care (NEHC) programme be upgraded to the position of a special committee under the medical development unit to implement strategic planning, coordination and oversee the UNHS.

       This was to ensure that early intervention can be carried out in dealing with newborn babies with hearing problems, he added.