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[Neonatal hearing screening by evoked otoacoustic emissions]
Cubells Fuentes J1, Gairí Tahull J
1Departamento de Pediatría, Institut Universitari Dexeus, Barcelona.
Insights
Early deafness detection in newborns using evoked acoustic emissions (EAE) is feasible. Universal screening requires public awareness and legislative support for widespread implementation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Audiology
- Public health
Context:
- Implementing early deafness detection programs in private hospitals.
- Utilizing evoked acoustic emissions (EAE) for neonatal hearing screening.
- Addressing challenges in achieving universal screening coverage.
Purpose:
- To describe the implementation of a neonatal hearing screening program using EAE.
- To assess the feasibility and coverage of EAE screening in a private hospital setting.
- To report the incidence of hearing loss detected in screened neonates.
Summary:
- A 5-year study (1994-1999) screened 1,750 neonates using EAE after 24 hours of life.
- Screening coverage increased from 6% to 37.5%, detecting mild to moderate neurosensory hypoacusis in 4% of infants.
- Six cases of mild to moderate neurosensory hypoacusis were identified, with 2.3% bilateral hypoacusis.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the effectiveness of EAE for detecting hearing loss at birth.
- Highlights the need for increased public awareness and legislative action for universal screening.
- Provides data on the prevalence of hearing impairment in a neonatal population.
Aim:
To describe the implementation of a program for the early detection of deafness in newborn infants in a private hospital.
Methods:
Between August 1, 1994 and July 31, 1999, 1,750 neonates from the nursery and neonatology unit of our hospital were studied using evoked acoustic emissions (EAE). Screening was performed after the first 24 hours of life and after parent consent had been obtained.
Results:
The coverage (number of neonates screened using otoacoustic emissions compared with the total number of live births) increased from 6% in 1994 to 37.5% in 1999. Six mild moderate neurosensory hypoacusis were detected; overall results were 4% hypoacusis and 2.3% bilateral hypoacusis.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates that hardness of hearing can be detected at birth by means of EAE. Because of lack of awareness in the general population, universal screening is difficult. Consequently, governments and medical organizations should legislate for such screening programs and should make the general population aware of them.