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Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program in Poland--10-year summary
Grażyna Greczka1, Maciej Wróbel1, Piotr Dąbrowski1
1Klinika Otolaryngologii i Onkologii Laryngologicznej Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Poznaniu.
Insights
The Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program (PUNHSP) demonstrates high efficiency, screening 96% of newborns. The program effectively identifies hearing loss, with an incidence of 0.3%, ensuring timely intervention for affected infants.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program (PUNHSP) was established to address early detection of hearing loss in newborns.
- This analysis synthesizes the program's performance and outcomes over a decade.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the PUNHSP.
- To report on program coverage, screening results, and hearing loss incidence.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the PUNHSP database (2003-2013).
- Evaluation of program coverage, screening test outcomes, and hearing loss incidence.
- Assessment of referral rates and audiological management.
Main Results:
- Program coverage averaged 96.0% of live births in Poland.
- An average of 8.5% of screened infants required further evaluation, with 55.8% attending audiological centers.
- Hearing loss incidence was 0.3%, highest in infants failing OAE tests with risk factors. Interventions included hearing aids (58.2%), surgery (34.0%), and rehabilitation (7.8%).
Conclusions:
- The PUNHSP is an efficient national program for neonatal hearing screening.
- Program outcomes, including coverage and detection rates, are comparable to international standards.
Introduction:
The analysis was aimed to summarize the outcomes of Polish Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program (PUNHSP).
Materials And Methods:
The analysis comprised the population of children registered in the PUNHSP database between 2003 and 2013. The evaluated parameters included: the program coverage (percentage of children covered by the Program in relation to the number of births), results of screening tests at different levels of the Program and hearing loss incidence.
Results:
The average screened population was 96,0% with respect to total number of live births in Poland. Children requiring further evaluation represent annual average 8.5% of the study population. Among them, on average 55.8% were consulted in audiological centers. Hearing loss incidence was estimated to be 0,3%. The highest hearing loss incidence was detected in children which failed the OAE test with concomitant risk factors. 58.2% of children were fitted with hearing aids, 34.0% were referred for surgical treatment, and 7.8% for further rehabilitation.
Conclusions:
The results of the program evaluation confirmed its good efficiency. The coverage and hearing tests results are comparable to those from other countries conducting similar national hearing screening programs.
