Marlene Bagatto wants to make life better for children born with hearing loss.

Paediatric audiologists like Marlene know early detection of hearing loss and access to proven support systems and technology like hearing aids can make a big difference. The problem is comprehensive paediatric hearing health care is not available across all of Canada. And if not detected early, hearing loss can limit a child’s future.  

“If a baby born with hearing loss is not identified early, intervention is delayed. This can impact their communication, social and cognitive development and access to education, which in turn impacts their ability to contribute to society,” says Marlene, professor in the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders and an investigator at the National Centre for Audiology.

Marlene and colleagues at the Canadian Infant Hearing Task Force developed report cards showing only six of 13 provinces and territories offer comprehensive detection and care, leaving about 34 per cent of babies in Canada without access.

While she says hearing health has not been on the radar of many policymakers, the evidence in the report cards is proving to be a key advocacy tool.

“Members of the task force are using the report cards to advocate in their own regions, with their own departments of health and government officials. And I'm learning more about how to communicate with policymakers, in an evidence-based way, so they can learn how science can support policy.”

Marlene notes improving comprehensive hearing health for children doesn’t require new research, so existing programs are easily adaptable.  

“This is not experimental. We have all the mechanisms. We’ve been doing this in Ontario for more than 20 years. We can share our knowledge and experience so other provinces and territories can make hearing health programs available to children and families.”

She’s happy to see other parts of the country are making steps to implement full detection and care. That gives her hope for the families that need the support.  

“When families get the care their children need, it’s amazing to see the relief they feel knowing their child has been helped. We’ve been able to mitigate any negative impacts of the hearing loss that would have gone unnoticed without hospital screening and access to the mechanisms and technology to provide safe hearing aids early.”