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[Screening for hearing loss in newborns at Turku University Central Hospital]
Hanni Sahlberg1, Jaakko Salonen, Satu Jääskeläinen
1TYKS:n korva-, nenä- ja kurkkutautien kIinikka, kuulokeskus.
Insights
Newborn hearing screening using a two-stage approach (otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response) effectively identifies hearing loss. This method proved more cost-effective than single-stage screening.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Audiology
- Public health screening
Context:
- Turku University Central Hospital implemented universal newborn hearing screening in 2005.
- A two-stage screening protocol involving otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response was utilized.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of a two-stage newborn hearing screening program.
- To determine the incidence of moderate to severe bilateral hearing defects in newborns.
Summary:
- A review of 12,011 newborns screened between 2006-2008 identified 12 cases of moderate to severe bilateral hearing defects.
- The incidence was 0.06% in healthy newborns and 0.8% in very preterm infants.
- The two-stage screening model demonstrated a 26% cost reduction compared to a one-stage approach.
Impact:
- The findings support the implementation of two-stage hearing screening for improved detection of hearing loss in newborns.
- This approach offers a cost-effective strategy for early identification and intervention of hearing impairments in infants.
Background:
Since 2005 all newborns at Turku University Central Hospital, Finland have been screened for hearing loss with two-stage procedure (otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response).
Methods:
We reviewed medical records of all newborns screened for hearing loss in 2006-2008. Costs of the screening were estimated.
Results:
12011 newborns were screened. In 12 newborns moderate to severe bilateral hearing defect was detected. The incidence of hearing defect was 0.06% among healthy newborns and 0.8% among very preterm infants. Costs of the two-stage screening were 26% lower than those of the one-stage model.
Conclusions:
Two-stage screening for hearing improved identification of newborns with hearing loss in a cost-effective manner.
