NEW high-tech tests to identify deafness in babies are to be launched in Wiltshire.

Wiltshire and Swindon Healthcare Trust is one of 20 pilot sites nationwide which have been selected to prepare for the new hearing test that will help detect problems in the first few days of life.

The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme (NHSP) will be carried out by health visitors and will replace the current distraction hearing test, which is done when the baby is seven to nine-months-old.

The new test involves placing a soft probe in the baby's ears while they are quiet. A purring-like sound is made and a microphone picks up an echo from the ear. The test is quick and painless and has a very high accuracy rate.

Wiltshire director of public health professor Philip Milner said: "About one baby in one thousand is born deaf.

"Identifying the deafness in the after-birth period provides the opportunity for them to get the specialist help and care they need as early as possible. Early identification provides significantly better language and social outcomes."

Since the pilot was announced almost a year ago, staff have been trained, equipment bought and new information-gathering and analysis systems set up.

The equipment, which is palm-sized and portable has been purchased for each health visitor base taking part in the system.