Efforts of the National Program for Early Detection and Intervention of Hearing Loss for the newborns continue as the first three hearing aids were installed today for three children benefiting from the program. The step is supervised by the Syrian Organization for Persons with Disabilities 'Aamal' in cooperation with Health Ministry. 'The three children were diagnosed with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and they have a family history of hearing loss, in addition to relative marriage, which is the first case of intervention in the program,' Health Minister Hasan Ghabbash said in a press statement. He added that since the program was launched until now, 9308 children were screened, of whom 96 were referred for additional testing as hearing loss was confirmed in 7 children. In turn, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the 'Aamal,' Dr. Ali Turkmani, said that the organization has had a close relationship with the Ministry of Health since years, and it is part of the national program for earl y detection and intervention of hearing loss in newborns, indicating that its work includes early detection, diagnosis and intervention and , in addition to integration in schools, pointing out the importance of awareness and the combined efforts of all parties concerned to achieve success. Director of the program, Dr. Manal Al-Hamad, stressed in a statement to SANA that after conducting a hearing screening for children and failing to pass the test for the second time, they will be transferred to diagnostic centers through which the presence of a hearing loss problem is confirmed, so that they are transferred to intervention centers, and hearing aids are installed free of charge. The National Program for Early Detection and Intervention of Hearing Loss in Newborns was launched on August 12 of last year, under the patronage and presence of First Lady, Mrs. Asma al-Assad. The program is implemented by the Ministries of Health, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Defense, Interior, and the Syrian Organi zation for Persons with Disabilities 'Aamal,' in addition to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. Source: Syrian Arab News Agency