The animated video aims to help the public understand the importance of early detection, appropriate follow-up care, and timely intervention.

A baby may appear healthy and respond to a parent’s touch, but an infant born with hearing loss may not show obvious symptoms. Hearing plays an important role in the development of speech, language, and communication. Without timely screening and appropriate intervention, a baby who is deaf or hard of hearing may experience difficulties during these critical stages of development.

To help the public, especially families and caregivers, access reliable information and better understand the importance of newborn hearing screening, the Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center (NHSRC) of the National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila, launched the animated awareness video, “Understanding Newborn Hearing Screening in the Philippines.” 

The video highlights the importance of early detection of hearing loss through newborn hearing screening, what screening results may mean, and why proper follow-up and timely intervention are important for babies who may need further evaluation.

In 2024, the  Philippine Statistics Authority recorded 1,358,989 registered live births. In the same year, 637,067 newborn hearing screening records were encoded in the Electronic National Newborn Hearing Screening Registry (ENNHSR), equivalent to approximately 46.9% of registered live births nationwide. While the registry may not capture all completed screenings, the figure highlights the need to make reliable information on newborn hearing screening more accessible to the public.

The awareness video is available for viewing and download through the NHSRC website at nhsrc.net.

ABOUT THE NSHRC
Republic Act No. 9709, or the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Intervention Act of 2009, established a national program for the prevention, early diagnosis, and intervention of hearing loss among newborns. In support of this mandate, the NHSRC continues to develop accessible educational materials that help the public understand the importance of timely screening and appropriate follow-up care.

For more information on newborn hearing screening, visit nhsrc.net or contact the NHSRC through its official Facebook page, Philippine Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center – NHSRC.

Press Release