Outcomes of Newborn Hearing Screening Program: A Hospital Based Study
1Department of ENT, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College, Jabalpur, Madya Pradesh India.
Insights
Early identification of congenital hearing loss in newborns is crucial. A screening program using Otoacoustic Emission and Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry identified 8.8% of high-risk infants needing intervention, highlighting the need for universal newborn hearing screening.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Audiology
- Public health
Background:
- Congenital hearing loss is a significant, often hidden, disability affecting infant development.
- Early identification and intervention are critical to prevent long-term speech, language, and cognitive impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of a neonatal hearing screening program in a tertiary care hospital.
- To determine the prevalence of hearing loss in high-risk neonates.
Main Methods:
- A clinical cross-sectional study screened 2254 neonates from July 2015 to May 2016.
- Screening involved case history, high-risk register review, Pediatric Audiometry, Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) tests, and Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) for confirmation.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of hearing loss among high-risk babies confirmed by BERA was 8.8 per 1000.
- Sixteen cases were identified and recommended for Cochlear Implant surgery.
Conclusions:
- The screening protocol using Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) and BERA is effective for early congenital hearing loss detection.
- Results support the implementation of universal newborn hearing screening programs in India and globally, emphasizing early intervention.
Abstract:
Hearing loss is hidden disability and second most common congenital pathology. Prevention, early identification and early intervention of hearing loss can prevent further disability in development of speech, language, cognition and other developmental domains. The prevalence of congenital hearing loss has been estimated to be 1.2-5.7 per thousand in neonates. In these contexts, the aim of study was to determine outcomes of neonates hearing screening program in Hospital. It is a clinical cross-sectional study which was conducted in tertiary care centre from 8th July, 2015 to 31th May, 2016. Total no of 2254 cases were screened. Details case history including high risk register, Pediatric Audiometry, Otoacoustic Emission tests were performed followed brainstem evoked response audiometry. The Prevalence of hearing loss among high risk babies confirmation by BERA was 8.8% per 1000 babies and 16 cases were recommended for Cochlear Implant. The screening protocol with objective test i.e. Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission and confirmation by Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry is very useful tool in early identification of congenital hearing loss in neonates. Hence, the results of this study will be used to initiate universal newborn hearing screening in other hospitals. Moreover, this study highlights the relevance of neonatal hearing screening in other states of India and country where this screening is not performed routinely in all hospitals and creating awareness to identify neonatal risk factors associated with hearing loss and understand the importance of early identification and early intervention and among health care professionals.
