Opinion

Athletic event supports worthy service project

Friday, June 14, 2002

Not long ago, hearing and speech problems among infants often went undetected for months and, in some unfortunate cases, more than a year.

But that's changing.

As the result of new federally-mandated regulations, hospitals soon will be required to do hearing testing on all newborn infants.

Although the new rule has not yet taken effect, the new hearing screening equipment is already operational at Community Hospital in McCook.

"The testing equipment has been in use for a month and a half," said Kayla Wurm, nursing supervisor at Community Hospital, "and many of our nurses have been trained in its use."

Called "Natus New-Born Hearing Screening," the testing device consists of cups, placed over the infant's ears, and sensors positioned on the back of the head and at other sensitive points on the baby's body. Through the readings, nurses determine whether test results are positive, or whether a referral is required for further evaluation of the child's hearing.

The test is helpful because it allows for early intervention by health care professionals. This is in sharp contrast to the past, when the extent of a child's hearing problem sometimes was not known until the youngster exhibited speech difficulties.

Community Hospital has demonstrated repeatedly that it is on the cutting edge of health care technology. In the case of hearing screening, purchase of the new technology was made possible, in part, by the McCook Area Sertoma Club.

The club -- whose focus is service to mankind -- is raising a major share of the $12,000 cost of the new equipment.

The fund-raising campaign will reach its peak Saturday night when the Sertoma Club hosts the 11th annual Sertoma All-Star Volleyball Classic.

You can see some great volleyball -- and support the hearing screening purchase -- in the process. The classic contest gets under way at 7 p.m. Saturday at the McCook High School Gymnasium.

Tickets are only $5 for adults and $3 for students, but you will be helping a good cause if you can give more.

Sertoma, which started in McCook in 1989, has done a lot for children with speech and hearing disorders. Each year, the club conducts hearing screening clinics for 300 preschoolers in McCook, Curtis, Palisade, Wauneta, Danbury, Bartley, Indianola, Imperial, Benkelman, Maywood and Curtis. They also maintain a hearing aid bank for senior citizens.

Local Sertoma members have already received a $1,000 pledge from Wal-Mart and a commitment of matching funds from the national Sertoma Foundation. With added gifts from the community, hearing screening will be a life-long benefits for new-born babies at Community Hospital.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: