Halle hosts advanced training on newborn hearing screening techniques
Halle hosts advanced training on newborn hearing screening techniques
Halle hosts advanced training on newborn hearing screening techniques
A professional development event on newborn hearing screening took place in Halle (Saale) on March 25, 2026. Organised by University Medicine Halle, the training aimed to improve early detection of hearing disorders in infants. Medical staff, midwives, and paediatric nurses attended to refine their screening skills. The training was part of the annual Newborn Hearing Screening Update Saxony-Anhalt series, which rotates among regional hospitals. This year's session included lectures and hands-on workshops led by specialists in ENT, paediatrics, paediatric neurology, and audiometry.
Participants learned two key screening methods: otoacoustic emissions (OAE) testing and auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing. OAE checks inner ear function by measuring responses to soft clicks or tones. ABR evaluates whether sound signals reach the brain's early processing centres by tracking electrical activity. The event was a joint effort by University Medicine Halle, the Newborn Hearing Screening Monitoring Center of Saxony-Anhalt, and the nonprofit *Saxony-Anhalt Hears Earlier*. University Hospital Halle's team also shared expertise in diagnosing and treating childhood hearing disorders, stressing the importance of early intervention for healthy development. No other clinics in Saxony-Anhalt have reported participation in the 2026 series, according to available records.
The training equipped healthcare professionals with updated techniques for detecting hearing issues in newborns. Early identification remains critical for timely treatment and supporting children's development. Organisers plan to continue the annual programme across the region.