The document advocates for school-based hearing guidelines rooted in the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act, highlighting the importance of early detection of hearing loss in infants to support their speech and language development. It notes that many children with hearing loss go undetected until they enter school, which can negatively impact their academic and social skills. The document emphasizes that early screening and intervention are crucial for maximizing a child's communication potential and overall development.

1. Why Push for a
School-based Hearing
Guideline?
Local Health Board
Davao City
22 July 2015
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2. June 12, 2009
Republic Act 9709
> Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act
> Establishes Universal Hearing Screening Program (UNHSP)
- Prevention
- Early Diagnosis
- Early Intervention of Hearing Loss
- Requiring all newborns to have access to hearing screening
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Background:
R.A. 9709

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- detection of hearing loss in children should occur as early
in life as possible
- infants born with hearing loss should be identified by three
months of age so that rehabilitation programs can be
initiated
- The first three years of life are critical to speech and
language development
- Unfortunately, while some children’s hearing losses are
detected within the first year of life, many more children
with hearing loss are not detected until they enter school
(five to six years of age)
- For this reason, it is now recommended that all infants be
screened for hearing loss
EVALUATION OF THE CHILD’S
HEARING LOSS

4. Why should newborn babies
be screened for hearing
loss?
• 1 or 2 : 1000 livebirths have a level hearing loss in
one or both ears
• affects their understanding and development of
spoken language
• about half will have severe or profound loss of
hearing
• early detection with early intervention means best
possible chance to develop language and
communication skills
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5. 0,1% to 0,2 % of newborns have hearing
loss
But up to 10 % of school age children do
have a hearing problem or loss!
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Considerations

6. What is Known?
Speech and language delay is associated with
reading, writing, attention and association
for the lack of high-quality standards and
stringency, NBHS may not be as effective in
identifying babies with hearing impairment
2/3 of preschoolers have at least 1 episode of
ear problems and 16% have at 6 or more
episodes. 1/2 of these will go undetected even
with good medical follow-up
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9. Code of Ordinances
City of Davao
Firecracker / pyrotechnics Ban
Cigarette Smoking Ban
Noise Nuisance Ban
Anti-discrimination Act
Speed Limit
Newborn Hearing Screening
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10. What is Known?
medically, a child is not considered
to have abnormal hearing until his/
her hearing is worse than 25 dB. But:
Impacted Cerumen 30-50 dB
OM with Effusion 50-60 dB
Perforated Ear Drum 10-30 dB
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11. What is Known?
the difference between reading
comprehension and grade
equivalencies for normal and those
with 25 dB losses
Gr 1 Gr 4
Normal Hearing 2.3 6.3
with 25 dB loss 2.0 4.5
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12. What is Known?
the difference between the expected
and actual performance on
language tests
Degree of Loss Language Delay in Years
15-26 dB 1.2
27-40 dB 2.0
41-55 dB 2.9
56-70 dB 3.5+
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13. What is Known?
of the learning disabled population,
20-25% have histories of, or on-
going ear problems related to,
hearing loss. As many as 38% have
been found to have abnormal
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14. Sufficient data is available to
suggest that children with early
and recurrent ear problems are
at risk for developing delays in
auditory, language and
academic skills.
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15. To Optimize Ones Brain Capability with Education,
it must be Unlocked by an Astute Hearing.
As Ear Specialists Serving this Nation,
We should serve as Patriots unlocking
Every Possible Potential for Every Filipino.
Bendatu Ali Dalandag, MD
ADVOCATE, School Hearing Guidelines for the Philippines
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16. Love this Nation,
Invest on the Future,
Value our Education,
Endear our Ears.
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17. Knowledge is Power.
Information is Liberating.
Education is the Premise of Progress,
in every Society, in every Family.
by Kofi Annan
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