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Quantitative and qualitative follow-up outcomes from a preschool audiologic screening program: perspectives over a
Yula C Serpanos1, Fredi Jarmel
1Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders, Adelphi University, Hy Weinberg Center for Communication Disorders, Garden City, NY 11530, USA. serpanos@adelphi.edu
Insights
Preschool audiologic screening is vital, identifying hearing loss and ear disorders in 49% of followed children. Physician influence on noncompliance highlights a need for improved follow-up advocacy.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Preschool hearing and otologic health are critical for development.
- Early identification of hearing impairment and ear disorders is essential.
- A 10-year audiologic screening program provided data on preschooler hearing health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report quantitative and qualitative follow-up data from a decade-long preschool audiologic screening program.
- To assess the prevalence of hearing loss and otologic disorders in preschoolers.
- To explore factors influencing compliance with screening follow-up recommendations.
Main Methods:
- A 10-year (1995-2004) preschool audiologic screening program.
- Screening included pure-tone hearing tests and tympanometry for 34,979 children aged 3-5.
- Follow-up data analyzed compliance and medical confirmation of diagnoses.
Main Results:
- 18% of screened children were referred for further evaluation.
- Medical confirmation of outer/middle ear disorders in 37% and hearing loss in 18% of the follow-up group.
- Overall, 49% had confirmed hearing loss and/or otologic disorder, indicating a 1.8% prevalence in preschoolers.
- Physician influence was noted as a factor in noncompliance with follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Audiologic screening is crucial for identifying hearing and otologic issues in preschoolers.
- Qualitative findings suggest some physicians may not adequately promote recommended follow-up care.
- Improving physician advocacy is key to enhancing screening program effectiveness.
Purpose:
This investigation reports on quantitative and qualitative follow-up information obtained from a preschool audiologic screening program covering a 10-year period (1995 to 2004).
Method:
The audiologic screening consisted of a hearing (pure tone) and tympanometry screening. A total of 34,979 children, 3 to 5 years of age, were screened.
Results:
Eighteen percent (6,337) of the children were referred for further hearing and/or medical ear evaluation. Of 1,421 follow-up responses received, 93% complied with the follow-up recommendations while 7% did not. Of 1,316 children in the follow-up group, outer and/or middle ear disorder in one or both ears was medically confirmed for 37%. Unilateral or bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed in 18% as conductive (12%), sensorineural (1%), mixed (0.4%), or unspecified (5%). Overall, hearing loss and/or otologic disorder was confirmed in 49% of the follow-up group, suggesting a prevalence of 1.8% in a preschool-age population. A small (n = 32) sample of unsolicited comments indicated that physicians most influenced noncompliance with hearing evaluation follow-up.
Conclusions:
The quantitative hearing and otologic follow-up outcome data affirm the importance of audiologic screening in the preschool population. Qualitative data suggest that some physicians may not be advocating appropriate screening follow-up services.
