KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded a 94.45 per cent success rate in newborn hearing screenings in 2025, surpassing the 85 per cent target set by the Ministry of Health Malaysia.
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Director Datuk Dr Abdul Kahar Abdul Asis said early detection and timely intervention are critical in preventing long-term communication and learning difficulties among children.
He said efforts are being strengthened, including requests for additional equipment, to ensure every newborn undergoes screening before being discharged from hospital.
“We face various challenges, including geographical, logistical and infrastructure constraints, but healthcare personnel remain committed to ensuring services reach the people,” he said at the launch of World Hearing Day 2026 on Friday.
Abdul Kahar said audiology services in Sabah are currently concentrated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Women and Children’s Hospital Likas, Tawau Hospital and Sandakan Hospital.
Meanwhile, Sabah Head of Audiology, Sitti Ladyia Mohd Salleh, said the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening programme enables early detection of hearing issues among infants from birth using specialised screening technology.
She said babies who fail the screening will be referred for diagnostic tests by audiologists for further confirmation.
“There are 33 audiologists in the State across government, private and education sectors, but only 16 are stationed in government hospitals,” she said.
Consultant Otorhinolaryngologist Dr Charlene Patricia Malakun said early screening is vital to ensure children’s speech and communication development are not affected.
She said detection should be done as early as possible, with intervention carried out before the age of three to four years to prevent long-term developmental impacts.
“Early signs of hearing problems include a lack of response to loud sounds and delayed speech development,” she said.
Charlene added that interventions such as cochlear implants can be performed in certain cases as part of hearing rehabilitation through complex microsurgery, which is more effective when done early.
As part of ongoing efforts, a Parent Support Group Programme for children with hearing impairment will be held on April 18.
The programme provides a platform for parents to share experiences, support one another and better understand that they are not alone in raising children with special needs.
