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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
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Published on: March 24, 2023
[Community-based hearing screening project in Tochigi prefecture and results thorough audiometric test]
Satoru Fukami1, Mamiko Nakamura, Kohtaro Baba
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi.
Insights
Early infant hearing screening identifies hearing loss in newborns. This project found 17 infants with bilateral hearing loss, highlighting the need for better support systems in Japan.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Context:
- Community-based hearing screening projects aim for early identification and intervention in infants.
- The project was implemented in Tochigi prefecture, Japan, starting in 2002.
- It involved screening 6198 infants using automatic auditory brainstem response (ABR).
Purpose:
- To assess the effectiveness of community-based newborn hearing screening.
- To identify infants with hearing loss for early intervention.
- To evaluate the accuracy of automatic ABR compared to conventional methods.
Summary:
- 1.1% of infants required rescreening, and 0.7% were referred for diagnostic testing.
- Initial testing suggested 20 infants had bilateral hearing loss, later confirmed in 17.
- Automatic ABR showed 10 inconsistencies, including 7 false positives and 3 false negatives.
Impact:
- Newborn hearing screening facilitates early detection of hearing impairment in infants.
- The study highlights a gap in Japan's medical treatment and support systems for hearing-impaired infants.
- Improved screening protocols can enhance early identification and intervention for better infant outcomes.
Abstract:
Community-based hearing screening projects have the objectives of screening hearing to identify early and intervene in cases of hearing-impaired infants and to consider how to implement mass screening, education, and support suitable. This project started in Tochigi prefecture in 2002. Of 6198 infants undergoing automatic auditory brainstem response (ABR), those rescreened accounted for 1.1% and those referred for diagnostic testing for 0.7%. After initial thorough audiometric testing, 20 infants were suggested to have bilateral hearing loss, although this was finally reduced to 17. Inconsistency between automatic and conventional ABR was found in 10 cases. Automatic ABR showed 7 false-positive and 3 false-negative cases, all of which finally proved to be within normal range hearing. Newborn-hearing screening enabled infants with hearing loss to be identified early. Japan has yet, however, to implement needed medical treatment and appropriate educational and support systems for hearing-impaired infants.
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