A new £3 million audiology unit will help babies and children experiencing deafness or balance issues.
The children's paediatric audiology department used to be alongside adult audiology in the old Barry Building in Brighton.
It has now been moved next door to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital and will provide for thousands of children across the county.
The department had a celebratory opening on September 11.
Head of audiology Manuel Loureiro said: “It has been wonderful to see the reaction and smiles from our young patients as they visit our amazing new department.
“It is such a contrast from our previous children’s service, which was unfortunately provided alongside adult audiology in the old and soon-to-be demolished Barry Building.
“Now we have a new department worthy of our service, dedicated to our younger patients and located in our wonderful children’s hospital.”
Two-year-old Jayden cut the ribbon with his parents and NHS staff.
Each year will see more than 1,500 appointments attended by children and their families.
The ward has four silent testing booths compared to just one previously, as well as a new specialist balance assessment room.
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Dr Rob Low, paediatric audiologist and former head of department, said: “Our new department represents a huge investment in children’s audiological care in Sussex and we’re really excited about what it could mean for thousands of local children with deafness.
“Now we can explore with confidence how to expand the specialist audiology services we provide. For instance we have the potential to offer more treatments and provide support sooner to reduce the impact unrecognised deafness and balance disorders can have on a child’s social development and education.”
Families, staff and charities joined on September 11 for the opening.
One of those was Rockinghorse Children’s Charity which donated thousands of pounds worth of toys which the hospital said will help entertain and diagnose children through their interaction and play with the gifts.
The adult audiology department was partly moved into the new Louisa Martindale Building earlier this summer.
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