Why does my newborn baby need a second hearing screening?

 

If your newborn baby's first hearing test doesn't show a clear response from one or both ears, your baby will need a second screening. This happens with a lot of babies and it doesn't necessarily mean your baby has hearing problems.

Some common reasons for needing a second screening include:

your baby may have been unsettled when the first test was done,

there may have been some background noise, or

your baby may have fluid or a temporary blockage in their ear after the birth. This is very common and will pass with time.

If you have your baby in hospital, your baby's second hearing screening will usually be done before you leave. However, in some areas, it may be done at your local doctors surgery, a health clinic or at home.

You can stay with your baby while the test is done. It doesn't hurt, it's not uncomfortable, and it's usually done while your baby is asleep or settled.

If the second screening shows a clear response from both of your baby's ears, your baby is unlikely to have hearing loss.

If you're concerned about your child's hearing, contact your health visitor or GP. A child's hearing can be assessed at any age.

I had a knee replacement last year and when I came out I had a lot of pain. The doctor told me the knee bones were rubbing together and had to get the surgeon to even them up. I am still in pain now - is this right?

Your new knee will continue to recover up to two years after your operation. During this time, scar tissue heals and the muscles are restored by exercise, so it is important to take care and look out for problems such as stiffness, pain or infection.

Even after you have recovered, it is best to avoid extreme movements or sports where there is a risk of falling. Your doctor or a physiotherapist can advise you. The exercises that your physiotherapist gives you are an important part of your recovery. It is essential that you continue with them once you are at home.

The most important thing is to check there is not a low grade infection around the new joint. Increased heat around the knee when compared to the other knee and or redness should trigger a visit to your GP for a check up. The new knee mechanism is "glued" into the bones of your leg using a special type of cement, occasional people can react to the chemicals in the cement or the cement does not create a solid bond. The surgeon will usually want to see you again a year or so after the operation, but if you are not able to achieve a good quality of life and reasonable movement asking for a review appointment would be a reasonable request.

What is Vitamin B12 deficiency Anaemia?

Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body using a substance called haemoglobin.Anaemia is a general term for covering either fewer red blood cells than normal or having an abnormally low amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell.

There are several different types of anaemia, and each one has a different cause. For example, a common form of anaemia is iron deficiency anaemia, which occurs when the body does not contain enough iron.

Vitamin B12 and folate (B9) perform several important functions in the body, including keeping the nervous system healthy.One type of anaemia occurs when a lack of vitamin B12 or folate causes the body to produce abnormally large red blood cells that cannot function properly.

A deficiency in either of these vitamins can cause anaemia as well as a wide range of problems, including extreme tiredness, a lack of energy, pins and needles, a sore and red tongue, muscle weakness, depression and problems with memory, understanding and judgement.