Deafness screening for newborns introduced at CIUSSS de l’estrie - CHUS

Since June 11, parents of newborns born at Fleurimont Hospital or staying in the neonatology unit have been offered a hearing screening test as part of the Quebec Deafness in Newborns Screening Program (PQDSN). The program, set up by the Ministry of Health and Social Services, is intended to detect early deafness at birth and to undertake the necessary interventions quickly to limit the impact on the child's development.

In addition to being a screening center, the Fleurimont Hospital is also a diagnostic confirmation center for newborns throughout the University of Sherbrooke's integrated university health network (RUIS). This diagnostic evaluation is done with audiologists at the Fleurimont hospital using a newlyinstalled audiometry booth to meet the program’s needs. Audiologists at the Diagnostic Confirmation Center also work with the Rehabilitation Center’s Hearing Impairment Program to provide care for deaf children.

The PQDSN will be deployed progressively throughout the territory covered by the CIUSSS de l’estrie- CHUS and the RUIS. Thus, newborns born in other obstetrics centers and birth centers in the territory will be offered the screening test according to the schedule established by the Department of Health and Social Services.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer this screening test to newborns in our facility," said audiologist and project manager Katherine Randall. “The hearing screening test is performed by a nurse who has received specific training; it is fast, painless and safe for the newborn. The results are available as soon as the test is complete.”