Modeling the cost and performance of early identification protocols

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Early identification of hearing loss is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
• Existing protocols for early hearing loss detection vary in their screening strategies and effectiveness.
• A need exists for a tool to systematically evaluate and compare different early identification protocols.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a flexible model for calculating the performance and cost of early identification protocols for hearing loss.
• To provide a framework for audiologists to design and select optimal early identification strategies.
• To establish a basis for comparing various screening approaches, including those aiming for identification and habilitation by six months of age.

Main Methods:

• Development of a simple mathematical model to assess protocol performance.
• Inclusion of performance measures such as hit rate, false alarm rate, and posterior probabilities.
• Calculation of financial costs, including implementation costs and cost-effectiveness.

Main Results:

• The model accommodates a wide range of early identification strategies.
• It quantifies protocol performance using established statistical measures.
• Financial implications, both in terms of cost and cost-effectiveness, are calculated.

Conclusions:

• The presented model offers a valuable tool for audiologists to optimize early hearing loss identification protocols.
• It facilitates informed decision-making in selecting the most effective and efficient strategies.
• This work supports the goal of achieving early identification and habilitation for infants with hearing loss.