[Results of screening for hearing disorders using the Ewing test]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric audiology
• Public health initiatives
• Early childhood development

Context:

• Late developments highlight the urgent need for early intervention in deaf children.
• Mass population screening is a key strategy for identifying hearing defects.
• Belgium's established well-baby clinics offer a platform for infant screening programs.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of mass screening for early detection of hearing impairments in infants.
• To assess the utilization of well-baby clinics for audiological screening.
• To determine the sensitivity of the Ewing-test in identifying hearing defects.

Summary:

• The Ewing-test was implemented in Belgian well-baby clinics, screening approximately 60% of 9-month-old infants between 1984-1986.
• Children with two failed screenings were referred to family doctors, leading to diagnostic examinations for about 1% of tested infants.
• A significant number of middle ear problems were identified, although not the primary target of the screening.

Impact:

• The screening program successfully identified children with middle ear problems, bringing them under medical observation.
• No cases of deaf children were found who did not fail the Ewing-test, suggesting good sensitivity.
• The study supports the integration of audiological screening into routine pediatric care for early detection and management of hearing loss.