Newborn hearing screening is crucial for early detection of hearing loss, which plays a key role in language development, communication, and social inclusion. In Panama, a national program focused on newborn hearing screening and the use of advanced technology is helping children hear from the very first days of life, opening doors to learning, development, and full participation in society.
Hearing loss affects approximately one in every 500 newborns. If undetected, it can impede language acquisition, emotional well-being, social interaction, and educational achievement, potentially leading to lifelong challenges. Early screening, consisting of quick and painless tests within the first hours of life, allows timely intervention to prevent long-term impacts.
Technology plays a critical role when hearing loss is diagnosed. Hearing aids amplify sounds for children with mild to moderate loss, while cochlear implants provide a solution for severe or profound hearing impairment by directly stimulating the auditory nerve. Both interventions aim to ensure that children can communicate, learn, and engage fully with family, school, and their communities.
Panama has made significant strides through Law 329 of 2022, which mandates universal newborn hearing screening and guarantees free testing in public health facilities. Despite these advances, challenges remain in providing timely access to hearing aids and cochlear implants, particularly for vulnerable households.
To address these gaps, the Program for the Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, funded by the IDB and implemented by SENADIS in coordination with MINSA, has strengthened Panama’s diagnostic capacity. Twelve health facilities across seven provinces and Indigenous regions now have equipment to perform hearing tests within 24 hours of birth. Five hospitals have been equipped with specialized diagnostic tools, including auditory evoked potentials systems, otoacoustic emissions devices, and soundproof booths, ensuring accurate confirmation of hearing loss.
The program also expands access to assistive devices. To date, 395 individuals have received hearing aids, and 26 children have been fitted with cochlear implants. For example, a child named Joseph, diagnosed with profound deafness at birth, was able to hear and begin speaking thanks to a cochlear implant and targeted therapy, demonstrating the life-changing impact of early detection and technology.
Panama’s initiatives create a more inclusive system for children with hearing loss, strengthening screening, diagnostics, and access to technical support. These efforts provide children with equal opportunities to hear, communicate, learn, and develop fully, contributing to better educational, social, and economic outcomes and moving the country toward a model of comprehensive inclusion.
