The Frank Hilton Organization (FHO) has enhanced Fiji’s sole infant hearing screening service by introducing advanced equipment at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWM). Since its establishment in 2015, FHO’s Audiology Department has been instrumental in screening newborns and young infants throughout the nation, facilitating early detection of hearing impairments.
Initially, the screenings were performed using the Vivosonic Integrity V500 G1 system for a decade. However, the increasing demand for services coupled with a need for improved accuracy prompted FHO to upgrade its technology to maintain efficient and reliable screening services. With generous funding from the Direct Aid Program (DFAT) and Australia’s Compassion Network, FHO has successfully acquired the new Vivosonic Integrity V500 G2 system.
The cost of the upgraded equipment, totaling $63,072.34, was made possible by the $23,370 raised by the Compassion Network and a $41,000 contribution from DFAT. FHO expressed its sincere appreciation for the collaboration that enabled this necessary expansion and modernization of services.
The V500 G2 system conducts two critical tests for the early identification of hearing issues: the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR), which assesses how sound signals travel through the hearing nerve and brainstem, and the Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE), a quick, non-invasive evaluation of inner ear function. FHO emphasizes that early diagnosis is essential for healthy brain development and significantly enhances long-term communication and learning outcomes.
The new technology will notably assist in screening high-risk infants, including those born prematurely, those admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), as well as infants who faced early medical difficulties and non-verbal children.
From 2015 to 2025, FHO has screened a total of 1,466 infants, comprising 742 boys and 723 girls, in collaboration with CWM Hospital. This partnership provides families across the country with life-changing early detection services.
In addition to hearing screenings, FHO advocates for child development in Fiji. Over the past three years, they have provided services to 2,049 children that include developmental and speech assessments, physiotherapy, audiology, occupational therapy, and behavioral evaluations.
Shiva Karan, founder of the Compassion Network, remarked that the donation exemplifies the generosity of the broader community, and expressed pride in supporting FHO in empowering newborns to “hear and thrive.” The Australian High Commission, through its Direct Aid Program, reiterated its commitment to aiding the funding of such essential tools for early detection and timely intervention for infants at risk of hearing loss. The enhanced services signify a positive step forward in ensuring that vulnerable infants receive the crucial support they need for healthy development.
Leave a comment