Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center

As stated in the different sections of RA 9709 (Sections 4, 5, 8, 9, and 12) and in Section 19 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the following are the functions of the NHSRC:

1. develop standards for certification for newborn hearing screening centers;
2. define hearing screening protocols;
3. maintain external laboratory proficiency program;
4. oversee the national testing database and case registries;
5. assist in training activities in all aspects of the program;
6. oversee the development of all promotional and educational materials; and
7. report to DOH any non-compliance committed by newborn hearing screening centers.

Date of Approval
RA 9709 - August 12, 2009

BOR Approval - February 24, 2012

Services or Programs Offered

Service Name:	Procurement and Distribution of Registry Monitoring Tool
Clients:	Newborn Hearing Screening (NHS) Centers and Manager
Contact Information:	nhsrc.upm@up.edu.ph
Description:	Registry Monitoring Tool or RMT refers to technology that shall allow identification of each patient with associated results of the newborn hearing screening. Previously, this came in the form of a registry card. With the development of ENNHSR, the RMT has been shifted to the NHSRC Registry Sticker Seals, which has security features absent in the previous RMT. The NHSRC Registry Sticker Seal contains a serial number contiguous with that used in the Registry Cards. The RMTs can only be procured from the NHSRC-NIH. A minimal fee shall be charged that is necessary to maintain database information for the patient for 10 years. No other entity may redistribute or resell the RMTs. Only designated managers of Newborn Hearing Centers may procure NHSRC Registry Sticker Seals as with the Registry Cards. The number of unique seals (pairs) each Hearing Center can procure shall not exceed 120% of the number of patients catered to during the previous year. The ENNHSR shall display the real time inventory of the Hearing Centers and prompt the centers to order when at least 50% of the NHSRC Stickers has already been used. Managers shall then be directed to an Order panel where they can input their request.

Service Name:	Personnel Certification
Clients:	Newborn Hearing Screening Centers’ Personnel
Contact Information:	nhsrc.upm@up.edu.ph
Description:	The Newborn Hearing Screening Personnel Certification Course is composed of three components: the Orientation and Updates to RA 9709, a written assessment, and a practical examination. The Newborn Hearing Screening Personnel Certification Course is the basic course for all managers and screeners of Newborn Hearing Screening Centers (Categories A to D). It is required that they pass the course before they become qualified to do hearing screening using otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and/or automated auditory brainstem response (AABR). The participants shall attend the Orientation and Updates to RA 9709 course lectures then a written examination. Finally, they shall demonstrate their skills through a practical exam using their own OAE and/or AABR devices. This aims to ensure standardized training among newborn hearing screening personnel. All other personnel involved in the diagnostic and intervention services of Newborn Hearing Screening Centers (Categories B to D) are required to complete the Orientation and Updates to RA 9709 only. These personnel may include audiologists, midwives, nurses, general physicians, otorhinolaryngologists, implantable hearing device surgeons, speech pathologists, and pediatricians involved in the management of an infant and/or a child with hearing impairment. The lecture series provides a comprehensive overview of the newborn hearing screening program focused on local stakeholders.

Training Programs
1. Newborn Hearing Screening Personnel Certification Course and Integrated Orientation and Updates to RA9709
2. Online Newborn Hearing Screening Personnel Certification Course and Integrated Orientation and Updates to RA9709

Service Name:	Center Certification
Clients:	All health care facilities where babies are born
Contact Information:	nhsrc.upm@up.edu.ph
Description:	Access to a NHSRC certified hearing center is a requirement for all health care facilities where babies are born. The birthing facility (birthing center or hospital) shall either be on the NHSRC list of certified Newborn Hearing Centers (Category A B, C, or D) or have a memorandum of agreement with one or several centers on the said list. The NHSRC shall be responsible for verifying personnel credentials and certification, while DOH is responsible for facility licensing. Only the DOH can issue a facility code for free standing or independent newborn hearing facilities. Those centers operating within DOH recognized health facilities which include public-private partnership agreements / out-sourced services with memorandum of agreements shall be considered part of the entire facility. Public-private partnership agreements or outsourced services shall have an area or archiving space within the health facility or hospital. Facility certificates shall be issued once all the requirements are fulfilled. Certificate shall be renewed every three years. Centers may be subject to random inspection after certification.

Technical Assistance/Consultancy:
1. Newborn Hearing Screening Facility Standards and Certification

Service Name:	Device Certification
Clients:	Hearing Screening Device Distributors
Contact Information:	nhsrc.upm@up.edu.ph
Description:	Distributors of newborn hearing screening devices shall have their newborn hearing screening devices certified by NHSRC and FDA. Devices shall be in compliance with DOH Administrative Order No. 2018-0002 (Guidelines governing the issuance of an authorization for a medical device based on the ASEAN harmonized technical requirements).

Technical Assistance/Consultancy:
1. Newborn Hearing Screening Device Standards and Certification