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[Screening of hearing in children up to 18 months of age]
1St. Maartens Gasthuis, afd. Keel-, Neus- en Oorheelkunde, Venlo.
Insights
A new consensus improves hearing diagnostics for infants in the Netherlands. Children with poor hearing screening results will receive timely follow-up, with oto-acoustic emissions as the preferred diagnostic method.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Context:
- The Netherlands conducts hearing screening for infants at nine months using the Ewing or Compact Amsterdam paedo-audiometric screener (CAPAS) test.
- Disagreements between disciplines previously hindered necessary follow-up diagnostics for children with poor screening results.
Purpose:
- To establish a consensus on the follow-up process for infants with abnormal hearing screening results.
- To ensure timely and coordinated diagnostic procedures for early childhood hearing impairment.
Summary:
- A consensus has been reached among Youth Health Care institutions, general practitioners, pediatricians, ENT physicians, and audiology centers regarding the follow-up of children with poor hearing screening results.
- Each involved party has defined responsibilities to complete diagnostics before 18 months of age.
- Referral for specialized diagnostics is advised for all children with poor screening results, potentially after treatment for otitis media with effusion. Measurement of oto-acoustic emissions is currently the most appropriate method for final diagnosis.
Impact:
- This consensus aims to improve the detection and management of hearing loss in young children.
- It ensures a standardized and efficient diagnostic pathway, reducing delays in intervention.
- The improved collaboration facilitates earlier identification and treatment of hearing impairments, positively impacting child development.
Abstract:
In the Netherlands the hearing screening of young children is carried out at the age of nine months by the Ewing or 'Compact Amsterdam paedo-audiometric screener' (CAPAS) test. These screening tests do not always lead to the necessary follow-up diagnostics, mainly because the different disciplines disagree. Recently a consensus concerning the follow-up of children with a poor test result was reached by the Youth Health Care institutions, general practitioners, paediatricians, ENT physicians and audiologic centres. Each party has its own responsibilities and commits itself to complete the diagnostics before the age of 18 months. Until new screening methods have been validated it is advised to refer all children with poor screening test results for special diagnostics, if necessary after they have been treated for otitis media with effusion. Currently the most appropriate method for final diagnosis is the measurement of oto-acoustic emissions.