Hearing problems can be prevented the earlier they’re diagnosed. But a new study by Tel Aviv University researcher, Dr. Sarah Ingber, shows that six out of 10 ultra-Orthodox Israeli women do not bring their babies to the doctor for free hearing checks, Haaretz reports. Members of the Knesset are forming a campaign in order to raise awareness within the ultra-Orthodox community.
Deputy Education Minister MK Avraham Wortzman (Bayit Yehudi) announced the opening of a publicity campaign to promote awareness among the public and in state institutions of the need to take babies for hearing tests. “A child who is not diagnosed when young will face 10 times the problems of other children,” he said.
Apparently, in the Negev, the wait to get into clinics can be quite long, preventing mothers from getting their child the tests they need.
Dr. Orly Hertzberg, the ministry’s head of clinical communications, said that the wait at Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba is “no longer than three months.” She promised, however, that the ministry would act to shorten it.
Hopefully, with campaigning and new efforts, the frequency of testing will increase and the waits for clinics will decrease.
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