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Universal newborn hearing screening program in Bulgaria.
P Rouev1, H Mumdzhiev, J Spiridonova
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical Faculty, Thracian University, 11 Armejska Street, 6003 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. petar.rouev@web.de
Summary
This study outlines a Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program (UNHSP) protocol for early detection and intervention of hearing loss in infants. The program utilizes automated auditory brainstem response (A-ABR) for screening and BERA for confirmation, aiming to reduce diagnosis age.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programs (UNHSP) are crucial for early identification of infant hearing loss.
- Effective UNHSP design requires tailoring to hospital-specific factors and desired hearing loss identification.
- Early intervention for hearing impairment in newborns significantly improves developmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a comprehensive protocol for the detection, confirmation, and habilitation of hearing loss in newborn infants.
- To establish a systematic approach for implementing a UNHSP within a healthcare setting.
- To detail the methodologies used for screening and diagnostic confirmation of hearing impairment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized automated auditory brainstem response (A-ABR) for initial hearing screening.
- Confirmed hearing loss diagnoses using conventional non-automated auditory brainstem response (BERA).
- Screened healthy infants after 6 hours of age and NICU infants prior to discharge using the ALGO-2 system, with immediate retesting for 'refer' results.
Main Results:
- The protocol facilitates timely screening and confirmation of hearing loss in newborns.
- Infants requiring outpatient screening were recalled at 3-4 weeks of age.
- The cost for identifying one case of hearing loss within the Bulgarian UNHSP was 1407 euro.
Conclusions:
- A tailored UNHSP protocol is essential for effective hearing loss identification and intervention.
- The described A-ABR and BERA methodology provides a reliable framework for neonatal hearing screening.
- This program serves as the foundational step in the habilitation of hearing-impaired children, aiming to decrease the age of intervention initiation.