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Consensus Statement of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics on Newborn Hearing Screening
, Abraham Paul1, Chhaya Prasad
1From Child Care Centre, Cochin Hospital; #Max Super Speciality Hospital, Chandigarh; $Welcare Hospital, Vytilla; *New Horizons Group, Mumbai; ‡Kerala University, Thrissur; India, and @Audiovestibular Medicine, Hackney ARK and Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital, London. Correspondence to: Dr Samir Dalwai, Director, New Horizons Child Development Centre, Mumbai. samyrdalwai@gmail.com.
Insights
This study provides national guidelines for newborn hearing screening in India. Early detection and intervention for hearing impairment in neonates are crucial for development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Developmental Disorders
Background:
- Hearing impairment presents significant social and psychological challenges.
- Standardized national guidelines are essential for neonatal hearing screening.
- Early detection of hearing loss is critical for infant development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish national consensus guidelines for newborn hearing screening in India.
- To ensure timely identification and intervention for neonatal hearing impairment.
Main Methods:
- A consensus meeting was convened by the Indian Academy of Pediatrics in December 2015.
- Experts including pediatricians and audiologists participated in guideline formulation.
- Guidelines were developed through extensive expert discussions.
Main Results:
- The first hearing screening should occur before hospital discharge.
- Failed screenings require repeat tests and, if necessary, Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) audiometry.
- Babies in intensive care units require ABR screening.
Conclusions:
- Screening targets are set for diagnosis by three months and intervention by six months of age.
- Abnormal ABR results necessitate comprehensive evaluation and auditory rehabilitation.
- Implementing these guidelines aims to improve outcomes for infants with hearing loss.
Justification:
Hearing impairment is one of the most critical sensory impairments with significant social and psychological consequences. Evidence-based, standardized national guidelines are needed for professionals to screen for hearing impairment during the neonatal period.
Process:
The meeting on formulation of national consensus guidelines on developmental disorders was organized by Indian Academy of Pediatrics in Mumbai, on 18th and 19th December, 2015. The invited experts included Pediatricians, Developmental Pediatricians, Pediatric Neurologists and Clinical Psychologists. The participants framed guidelines after extensive discussions.
Objective:
To provide guidelines on newborn hearing screening in India.
Recommendations:
The first screening should be conducted before the neonate's discharge from the hospital - if it 'fails', then it should be repeated after four weeks, or at first immunization visit. If it 'fails' again, then Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) audiometry should be conducted. All babies admitted to intensive care unit should be screened via ABR. All babies with abnormal ABR should undergo detailed evaluation, hearing aid fitting and auditory rehabilitation, before six months of age. The goal is to screen newborn babies before one month of age, diagnose hearing loss before three months of age and start intervention before six months of age.
