2025 was a landmark year for the Newborn Hearing Screening Reference Center (NHSRC). Guided by a renewed commitment to every Filipino child’s right to hear, the center took massive strides in expanding screening access, forging new partnerships, and embracing digital innovation. Here is a look at the major milestones from our 2025 Annual Report.
2025 Annual Report (16 downloads )Expanding Our Reach
The core of the NHSRC’s mission is ensuring widespread access to newborn hearing screening. In 2025, the network of accredited hearing screening centers grew by 3%, reaching a total of 1,254 facilities nationwide.
- Record Screenings: A total of 677,891 babies were screened in 2025, a significant increase from the previous year.
- National Milestone: Since 2014, the total number of babies screened has reached a massive 2,491,169.
- Early Detection: Through these screening efforts, 161 patients were identified with total hearing loss in 2025, allowing for timely and crucial intervention.
Training and Capacity Building
To maintain high standards of care across the country, the NHSRC certified 979 personnel in 2025. The center conducted 33 certifying courses nationwide, utilizing both face-to-face and online platforms to train dedicated screeners and managers.
Digital Innovation and Research
2025 marked the NHSRC’s first external grant from the Department of Health to support multifaceted public health research. A major technological highlight was the continued development of health-focused digital tools.
- Kalinga Maternal Nutrition Mobile App: Integrated with the Electronic National Newborn Hearing Screening Registry (ENNHSR), this app empowers pregnant women to track their iron and retinol intake with real-time validation from registered nutritionists.
- Registry Enhancements: The NIH-DOH Multifaceted Project supported the printing of secure ENNHSR sticker seals and standardized certifications for Category C and D personnel to improve data reliability.
Regional Triumphs
The push for universal hearing screening requires dedicated grassroots action, and our regional partners delivered incredible results.
- Bicol Region (Region 5): The Bicol Medical Center led “Lakbay Serbisyo” medical missions, providing ENT consultations and screenings to over 320 residents in remote areas like Caramoan and Pili.
- BARMM: The Ministry of Health-BARMM officially turned over new hearing screening equipment to ten hospitals, including facilities in the province of Sulu, reinforcing a shared commitment to maternal and child welfare.
Looking Ahead
As NHSRC Director Dr. Rosario R. Ricalde noted, 2025 laid the foundations for a more accessible and comprehensive future. With a vision to become the leading expert in newborn hearing screening in the Philippines by 2028, the NHSRC continues to work tirelessly so that every newborn is given the opportunity to hear and be heard.
