Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Screen newborns for hearing

I cannot stress enough the significance of Dr. Alisa Hideg’s column of July 14. Parents, please follow up on her advice. I must add, though, that there are other congenital (present at birth) conditions for which screening other than blood screening can and should be done.

Hearing impairment, including deafness, is the most common disability that exists at birth. How common? Conservative estimates say as many as 1 in 400 live births is a child with impaired hearing. That is twice as common as Down syndrome, twice as common as cleft lip and/or palate, and 10 times as common as hypothyroidism.

So, parents, please assure that your child’s hearing is screened as soon as possible after birth, preferably on the second day. One-half of these children have a genetic cause; the other one-half do not. Hence, the screen is essential.

Sanford E. Gerber

Spokane

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email
letters@spokesman.com
Fax
(509) 459-5098
Phone
(509) 459-5403

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy