Every newborn infant in New York will be screened for hearing problems before leaving the hospital or soon thereafter. Under provisions passed during the 1999 legislative session, the commissioner of the state Department of Health will implement a screening program which will go into effect within the next few months.

According to the 1999 law, the program must provide, if necessary, follow-up screening, including referrals for screening or care if the infant is transferred from one facility to another.

If hearing disorder is detected early in an infant, and there is appropriate treatment, the need for future developmental rehabilitation will be minimized. Many infants are born with a hearing disorder. This program will ensure that it is identified at an early age so the child can receive proper follow-up care.

According to the proposed program, hospitals and birthing centers with more than 400 births a year will be required to directly administer an infant screening program as soon after birth as possible, before discharge. Hospitals and birthing centers with fewer than 400 births annually would be required to refer the infant to a facility licensed to screen, and request the results be returned to the original birth facility.

A newborn hearing screening program will improve New York state's infant health care and keep it the most comprehensive in the entire country. I hope a program will be in place in the near future so that every infant can benefit from the advantages of early detection.

Health care providers performing the screening will be reimbursed by either Medicaid or the private health insurance company currently providing primary and preventative care to the family of the infant.

For more information on infant hearing screening, call the New York state Department of Health at 1-800-522-5006.