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Updated: May 10, 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
Improved newborn hearing screening follow-up results in more infants identified
Suhana Alam1, Marcus Gaffney, John Eichwald
1Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee (Ms Alam); and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia (Messrs Gaffney and Eichwald).
Insights
National, state, and local efforts are improving follow-up for infants identified with hearing loss. Documenting services reduces lost-to-follow-up rates, enhancing early identification for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Newborn hearing screening is crucial for early detection of hearing loss in infants.
- Historically, a significant number of infants were lost to follow-up after initial screening.
- Effective follow-up services are essential for timely diagnosis and intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of coordinated efforts on reducing infants lost to follow-up.
- To assess the effectiveness of service documentation in improving early identification rates.
- To identify areas for continued improvement in infant hearing loss management.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal analysis of data from national, state, and local initiatives.
- Tracking of infants identified through newborn hearing screening.
- Monitoring of service receipt and follow-up completion rates.
Main Results:
- Coordinated efforts at multiple levels have led to improved follow-up and data reporting.
- Reduced rates of infants lost to follow-up correlate with increased identification of hearing loss.
- Documenting service receipt has demonstrably lowered lost-to-follow-up rates.
Conclusions:
- Current strategies are effective in improving follow-up and early identification of infant hearing loss.
- Continued monitoring and refinement of services are necessary for optimal outcomes.
- Systematic documentation of services is a key factor in reducing attrition in infant hearing care pathways.
Abstract:
Longitudinal research suggests that efforts at the national, state, and local levels are leading to improved follow-up and data reporting. Data now support the assumption that the number of deaf or hard-of-hearing infants identified through newborn hearing screening increases with a reduction in the number of infants lost to follow-up. Documenting the receipt of services has made a noticeable impact on reducing lost to follow-up rates and early identification of infants with hearing loss; however, continued improvement and monitoring of services are still needed.
