News

10th June 2005

Deafness and hearing impairment

In response to a question by London MEP John Bowis, Conservative spokesman on health in the European Parliament, the Commission has agreed to give serious consideration to provide research funding to establish hearing screening programmes for new born children.

“Fifty per cent of babies with a hearing problem are not diagnosed until they are 18 months old and a further 25% are not diagnosed until they are three years old. This failure causes permanent damage to these young lives,” said John Bowis.

The Commission also admitted there is no data on the prevalence of deafness, hearing impairment or tinnitus in the European Union.  Under questioning from Mr Bowis the Commission agreed to evaluate screening, care and treatments available and to develop preventative strategies, as well as having comparable and accurate data.