Parents urged to test young babies’ hearing at home

PARENTS are being urged to conduct home hearing tests on their babies in a campaign to encourage early detection of deafness.

A list of simple exercises has been drawn up that explain to family members how to observe and assess a child’s hearing from the time they are born until they reach their first birthday.

The campaign is the brainchild of public health nurse, Clare Farrell, who was concerned at the length of time it was taking for youngsters to be diagnosed as having hearing difficulties.