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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
A national survey of pediatric otolaryngologists and early hearing detection and intervention programs
Jeffrey L Danhauer1, Carole E Johnson, Dan Finnegan
1Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, 1036 Harder South, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA. Danhauer@speech.ucsb.edu Danhauer@speech.ucsb.edu
Insights
Pediatric otolaryngologists (PED-ENTs) have good knowledge and attitudes toward newborn hearing screening programs (NHSPs). However, some need more information on early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI) benchmarks to improve follow-up rates for infants with hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Audiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Follow-up rates for infants identified with hearing loss through early hearing detection and intervention programs (EHDIPs) and newborn hearing screening programs (NHSPs) in the U.S. fall short of CDC goals.
- Pediatric otolaryngologists (PED-ENTs) are crucial in EHDIPs and can significantly impact parental compliance with recommended follow-up care for infants.
- Improving follow-up rates is essential to prevent children with hearing impairment from being lost to follow-up.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the knowledge, experience, and attitudes of PED-ENTs regarding NHSPs.
- To identify areas where PED-ENTs may require additional information to enhance their role in EHDIPs.
- To understand the current engagement of PED-ENTs in newborn hearing screening and intervention processes.
Main Methods:
- A national study utilizing a 19-item questionnaire distributed via postal survey to PED-ENTs.
- Data collection involved assessing awareness of NHSPs, participation levels, and general attitudes towards these programs.
- A response rate of 44% was achieved from the 565 surveys mailed.
Main Results:
- The majority of responding PED-ENTs demonstrated adequate knowledge of, participation in, and positive attitudes towards NHSPs.
- A subset of PED-ENTs indicated a need for further information concerning national EHDI benchmarks and the issue of suboptimal follow-up rates.
- Findings suggest a generally positive but improvable landscape regarding PED-ENT involvement in infant hearing loss programs.
Conclusions:
- Audiologists and PED-ENTs should collaborate to strengthen EHDIPs and ensure infants with hearing loss receive timely and consistent follow-up care.
- Targeted educational initiatives for PED-ENTs on national EHDI standards and follow-up challenges could improve program effectiveness.
- Strengthening the alliance between audiology and pediatric otolaryngology is key to preventing attrition in early intervention services for hearing-impaired infants.
Abstract:
Follow-up rates for babies identified for hearing loss from early hearing detection and intervention programs (EHDIPs) and newborn hearing screening programs (NHSPs) in the United States do not meet the goals posited by the Centers for Disease Control. Pediatric otolaryngologists (PED-ENTs) play a vital role in EHDIPs and can positively influence parents' compliance with professionals' recommendations for their babies. This national study used a 19-item questionnaire and postal survey to assess PED-ENTs' knowledge about, experience with, and attitudes toward NHSPs. Of 565 surveys mailed (36 were undeliverable), 233 were returned for a 44% response rate. Most of these PED-ENTs had adequate knowledge about, participated in, and expressed positive attitudes toward NHSPs; however, some could benefit from additional information about national EHDI benchmarks and poor follow-up rates. Audiologists should ally with PED-ENTs locally and nationally to strengthen EHDIPs and prevent loss of children with hearing impairment to follow-up.
