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[First results of a national hearing screening program in Switzerlans]
Insights
A universal newborn hearing screening program in Switzerland successfully identified 5 infants with bilateral hearing dysfunction, referring them for early rehabilitation. The program screened 90% of newborns, demonstrating effective early detection of hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Public Health
Context:
- Established in 1998, a Swiss study group aimed to implement universal newborn hearing screening.
- Followed European Consensus Statement recommendations for neonatal hearing screening.
- Utilized transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) for automated measurements.
Purpose:
- To standardize and introduce universal hearing screening for all infants born in Switzerland.
- To facilitate early detection and intervention for hearing impairments in newborns.
- To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a national neonatal hearing screening program.
Summary:
- Between June 1999 and March 2000, 90% (5656/6262) of newborns in participating Swiss hospitals underwent hearing screening.
- 88 infants did not pass initial screening; follow-up assessments included repeated TEOAE and auditory brainstem potentials.
- Five infants were diagnosed with bilateral hearing dysfunction and referred for rehabilitation within six months of birth.
Impact:
- Demonstrates successful implementation of a universal newborn hearing screening program in Switzerland.
- Highlights the importance of early identification and intervention for congenital hearing loss.
- Provides data on the prevalence of hearing dysfunction in a screened newborn population.
Abstract:
A Swiss study group was formed in summer 1998 with the aim of establishing a universal hearing screening programme in newborns following the recommendations of the "European Consensus Statement on Neonatal Hearing Screening" (Milan 1998). The aim of the group was to standardise and to introduce universal hearing screening in all infants born in Switzerland. Starting in June 1999, several hospitals in Switzerland began the screening programme using commercially available equipment for easy and highly automated measurement of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions. Up to March 2000, 6262 children were born in these hospitals and 5656 (90%) underwent neonatal hearing screening. 88 children of the 5656 did not pass the screening test. The measurement of otoacoustic emissions was repeated in a follow-up examination within 6 weeks. If otoacoustic emissions were again absent, evoked auditory brainstem potentials were measured. 48 children were found to have hearing within normal limits at the follow-up examination, 24 children have not been examined yet, 11 children were examined in other clinics or the follow-up examination was refused by the parents. 5 children were found to have bilateral hearing dysfunction and were referred to rehabilitation within the first 6 months of life.