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[Use and results of universal newborn hearing screening with ALGO portable device]
J Bretschneider1, H Maier, M Hess
1Hals-Nasen-Ohrenklinik des Universitätsklinikums Hamburg-Eppendorf. BretschneiderHNO@aol.com
Insights
Universal newborn hearing screening is essential for early detection of congenital hearing loss, preventing lifelong developmental issues. This study confirms its feasibility and cost-effectiveness in identifying hearing impairments in infants.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neonatal Care
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital hearing disorder affects 1 in 1000 newborns, potentially causing severe developmental problems if undetected.
- Early identification is crucial to mitigate lifelong language, intellectual, emotional, and social deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate a universal, Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR)-based newborn hearing screening program.
- To assess the method's specificity, success rate, organizational requirements, and associated costs.
Main Methods:
- Examined 464 newborns using the Algo portable device from August 1999 to March 2000.
- Re-examined infants with suspected hearing loss using the Evoselect ERA-machine for confirmation and grading.
Main Results:
- Screened 98% of newborns at the University Hospital Eppendorf.
- Identified 8 infants with confirmed bilateral or unilateral hearing loss, primarily from the risk group.
- Established average costs of 38.65 DM per examination and approximately 3200 DM per identified bilateral hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- Universal Newborn Hearing Screening is a necessary intervention.
- The screening program is executable with manageable personnel, time, and financial resources.
Background:
Congenital hearing disorder, which has an occurrence of 1 in 1000 newborn babies, is a health problem that should be taken seriously. Once it has been discovered too late, it leads to lifelong language, intellectual, emotional and social problems. The aim of this project was the critical evaluation of a universal, ABR-based newborn hearing screening, looking at the specificity and the success of the method used as well as the organisational requirements and costs involved with this method.
Methods:
From August 1999 until March 2000, 464 newborn babies, born at the University Hospital Eppendorf in Hamburg, were examined with the Algo portable. Another 31 children, all younger than 6 months, were also examined with the Algo portable, because of suspected hearing loss. When a child got a refer twice by the Algo portable, the child was examined again, using the conventional ERA-machine (Evoselect) to confirm the suspected hearing loss and to assess its grade.
Results:
98% of the newborns at our hospital were examined. Up to now, out of 13 conspicuous children, the majority of which belonged to the risk group, 6 have been identified as unambiguously bilateral and 2 as unilateral hard of hearing. After an introductory period of two months, the average costs per examination could be set at 38.65 DM and app. 3200 DM per bilateral hearing loss discovered.
Conclusion:
A Universal Newborn Hearing Screening is necessary and can be executed with calculable effort with concern to personnel, time and finance.