Planning early childhood audiologic intervention programs on a regional scale: introduction to an Italian study
1Audiology and Otolaryngology Unit, Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
Insights
Early identification and intervention are crucial for children with permanent hearing impairment (PHI) to prevent communication and psychosocial issues. This project established a regional public health model for integrated PHI care in Italy.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
Background:
- Childhood permanent hearing impairment (PHI) can lead to lasting communication and psychosocial challenges if not addressed promptly.
- Current care for PHI in childhood is often inconsistent, delayed, or inadequate, impacting long-term outcomes.
- The Centro Controllo Malattie (CCM) of the Italian Ministry of Health initiated a project to improve care for hearing-impaired children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define and implement an integrated, regional public health model for the early identification, diagnosis, and intervention of childhood PHI.
- To develop recommendations for enhancing the identification, diagnosis, therapy, and care of children with PHI in Italy.
- To create a validated, integrated, and shared regional early intervention system across five regions.
Main Methods:
- A project involving five tertiary centers with approved Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) programs was conducted.
- The initial phase involved assessing the current state of PHI care and developing recommendations.
- Focus areas included diagnostic/treatment innovations, family empowerment, treatment alliance, and interdisciplinary approaches.
Main Results:
- The project identified areas for improvement in the identification, diagnosis, and management of childhood PHI.
- Recommendations were formulated to guide positive changes in care pathways.
- The initial phase laid the groundwork for a comprehensive regional early intervention system.
Conclusions:
- An integrated regional public health model is essential for effective management of childhood PHI.
- Evidence-based recommendations can drive improvements in early identification and intervention services.
- A collaborative, interdisciplinary approach is key to optimizing outcomes for children with PHI and their families.
Abstract:
Non-uniform, late, or inappropriate care of childhood with permanent hearing impairment (PHI) predisposes many children to develop communicative- behaviour problems and impaired psychosocial adjustment that can persist in adolescence and adulthood.In March 2014, the CCM (Centro Controllo Malattie or Disease Control Centre) of the Italian Ministry of Health funded a project entitled " Preventing Communication Disorders: a Regional Program for Early Identification, Intervention and Care of Hearing Impaired Children". The project involved 5 tertiary centres with UNHS programs formally approved by the Region. The main purpose of the project is to define and launch an integrated regionally-based public health model for identification, diagnosis and intervention of childhood PHI. The first phase of the project investigated the state of art and produced recommendations for positive changes in identification, diagnosis, therapy and care of childhood PHI in Italy, taking into account diagnostic and treatment innovations, family empowerment, treatment alliance and an interdisciplinary approach. Recommendations drawn from this initial phase will represent the basis for a regional system for early intervention that is validated, integrated and shared between the five regions.
