12th March 2025, Kathmandu
Nepal Medical College has introduced an Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) device to test hearing abilities in newborns. The ENT Department has started using this advanced equipment to detect hearing impairments at an early stage.
OAE Hearing Test Newborns
On Monday, Prof. Dr. Jainuddin Ansari, Chairman of Nepal Medical College, inaugurated the device at the Audiology Unit. He emphasized the importance of early hearing tests to identify and manage congenital hearing loss in newborns.
Government Guidelines on Hearing Screening
The Nepalese government has made newborn hearing screening mandatory by approving the Newborn Hearing Screening Guidelines 2081. The policy requires all hospitals and maternity centers to test infants for hearing problems after birth.
Dr. Ansari stated that installing the OAE equipment supports the government’s goal of making hearing screening a standard procedure. He stressed that early diagnosis can help prevent lifelong hearing disabilities in children.
Lack of OAE Devices in Most Hospitals
Many hospitals in Kathmandu do not have OAE devices to test newborn hearing. Nepal Medical College has set up this modern equipment to fill this gap.
Parents can bring newborns from other hospitals to Nepal Medical College for a hearing test. The equipment ensures that infants born elsewhere also receive proper screening.
Mandatory Hearing Tests for Newborns
As per government rules, hospitals must screen newborns’ hearing as part of regular postnatal care. Doctors and nurses should assess any concerns raised by parents. If issues are suspected, they must refer the child to a specialized ENT or audiology center.
Nepal Medical College welcomes referrals from other hospitals. Parents should have their baby tested within 12 to 24 hours after birth or at the first follow-up visit. If initial results show possible hearing loss, further tests and treatment should be done at an ENT hospital with OAE technology.
Rising Cases of Hearing Loss in Nepal
Data shows that 1.8 out of every 1,000 newborns in Nepal are born with hearing loss. According to the 2021 National Census, nearly 3,000 children under the age of five were found to have hearing disabilities. Studies indicate that 60% of childhood hearing loss cases could be prevented with early screening.
Commitment to Better Healthcare
Dr. Sabiha Yasmin, Managing Director of Nepal Medical College, highlighted the benefits of early screening.
“Testing a baby’s hearing at birth can help prevent many cases of hearing loss. Our new OAE equipment supports the government’s health policy,” she said.
Nepal Medical College continues to improve healthcare services by adopting advanced medical technology. The new OAE device is a major step forward in ensuring better hearing health for newborns in Nepal.
For more: OAE Hearing Test Newborns