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Updated: May 24, 2026

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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
[Pregnant women's expectations concerning universal newborn hearing screening]
1Institut für Sonderpädagogik, Pädagogische Hochschule Heidelberg, Keplerstr. 87, 69120, Heidelberg, Deutschland.
HNO
|February 23, 2012
Summary
Expectant mothers support universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) but worry about its impact. Providing immediate psycho-social support is crucial for families with positive UNHS results.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Context:
- Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) is vital for early detection of hearing loss.
- Psycho-social factors, including parental expectations, significantly influence UNHS effectiveness.
- Parental attitudes and support needs are critical considerations for successful UNHS implementation.
Purpose:
- To assess expectant mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and support expectations regarding UNHS.
- To investigate parental concerns about potential risks associated with UNHS.
- To determine the importance of post-screening support for families.
Summary:
- 187 expectant mothers showed high approval for UNHS but a quarter expressed concerns about parent-child relationships and stress.
- Over half of mothers emphasized the importance of targeted support for coping with UNHS outcomes.
- A reliable tracking system and immediate consultations are essential for responsible UNHS implementation.
Impact:
- Findings underscore the need for integrated psycho-social support alongside UNHS protocols.
- Early and consistent support can mitigate parental stress and enhance coping mechanisms.
- This research informs the development of comprehensive, family-centered services for newborns identified with hearing impairments.

