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Evolution of a universal infant hearing screening program in an inner city hospital
1Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Suite 601, 720 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118, USA. clcox@bmc.org
Insights
This newborn hearing screening program evolution study found 15 infants with hearing loss from 7128 screened between 1996-2000. The sensorineural impairment rate was 1/343.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Newborn hearing screening programs are crucial for early detection of hearing loss.
- The evolution of such programs impacts diagnostic accuracy and intervention timeliness.
- Established in 1988, this program's development is tracked from universal screening initiation in 1996.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the evolution and outcomes of a newborn hearing screening program.
- To analyze screening data from April 1996 to December 2000.
- To determine the incidence of hearing loss in newborns within the program's scope.
Main Methods:
- Data collection from a newborn hearing screening program (April 1996-December 2000).
- Screening conducted on 7128 infants in well-baby nurseries and neonatal intensive care units.
- Follow-up testing for infants who failed initial screening.
Main Results:
- 1713 infants screened in 2000 at $18.44 per child.
- 30 infants (1.7%) failed the initial screen; 26 (86%) attended follow-up.
- 15 infants diagnosed with hearing loss (10 conductive, 5 sensorineural); false positive rate 0.96%.
Conclusions:
- The program identified a significant number of infants with hearing loss.
- The overall sensorineural impairment rate was 1/343.
- Program evolution is key to effective newborn hearing screening outcomes.
Abstract:
This study reports the evolution of a newborn hearing screening program which began in 1988. Data are reported from the period of time that universal newborn hearing screening was initiated, i.e. April 1996 to December 2000 (total screened=7128 babies). From 1996 to the present, the program has developed to the current form. During 2000, 1713 infants in the well-baby nursery and neonatal intensive care unit were screened at a cost of 18.44 dollars per child. Thirty (1.7%) infants failed the screen, of which 26 (86%) returned for follow-up testing. Fifteen infants were documented with hearing loss, 10 with conductive and five with sensorineural losses. The false positive rate was 0.96% and the overall sensorineural impairment rate was 1/343.
