Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026
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
Results of an early hearing detection program
Silvia A Borkoski Barreiro1, Juan C Falcón González, Jorge Bueno Yanes
1Unidad de Hipoacusia-Programa de Implantes Cocleares, Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular-Materno Infantil, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Insights
This study evaluated an early hearing detection and intervention program for newborns, achieving 95.64% coverage. The program demonstrated effectiveness and efficiency in identifying neonatal hearing loss.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Audiology
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Neonatal hearing loss is a significant public health concern.
- Universal screening is recommended for early detection.
- Timely intervention is crucial for developmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the results of an early hearing detection and intervention program.
- To assess the program's effectiveness and efficiency.
- To evaluate coverage rates of neonatal hearing screening.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 26,717 newborns using transient otoacoustic emissions (TOAEs).
- Diagnostic phase conducted at the hearing loss department.
- Follow-up testing including auditory brainstem response (ABR) for referred infants.
Main Results:
- The program achieved 95.64% coverage of births between 2007-2010.
- 4,674 infants had risk factors for hearing loss.
- 26 children were enrolled in the cochlear implant program.
Conclusions:
- The early hearing detection and intervention program is suitable for the local environment.
- The program demonstrated a positive relationship between effectiveness and efficiency.
- High coverage indicates successful implementation of universal screening.
Introduction And Objectives:
Neonatal hearing loss is a public health problem that meets the requirements for submission to universal screening. Our objective was to analyse the results of the early hearing detection and intervention program implemented at our centre between January 2007 and December 2010.
Methods:
We studied 26,717 newborns during the period mentioned, using transient otoacoustic emissions (TOAEs) for the screening. The diagnostic phase was carried out at the hearing loss department.
Results:
In our area, there were 27,935 births between January 2007 and December 2010. The screening was performed on 26,717 children. Of these, 24,173 had positive TOAEs, 1,040 had no TOAEs and 1,504 presented TOAEs in 1 ear with absence of TOAEs in the contralateral ear. Risk factors associated with hearing loss were found in 4,674 infants. In a second phase of the program, TOAEs were given to 5,156 children, of whom 4,626 had positive otoacoustic emissions in both ears, 323 had no TOAEs in 1 ear and 207 failed this second phase. Of all children studied, 3.8% were referred to auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing and 26 children entered the cochlear implant program. The program reached coverage of 95.64%.
Conclusions:
The early hearing detection and intervention program at our hospital is suitable for our environment, reaching 95.64% of coverage. We consider the relationship between effectiveness and efficiency to be positive.
