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LittlEARS auditory questionnaire as an infant hearing screening in Germany after the newborn hearing screening

Karolin Schaefer1, Frans Coninx2, Thomas Fischbach3

  • 1a Department of Rehabilitation and Special Education, Faculty of Human Sciences , University of Cologne , Cologne , Germany.

International Journal of Audiology
|April 24, 2019
PubMed

Insights

The LittlEARS® Auditory Questionnaire (LEAQ®) is a feasible tool for infant hearing screening in German pediatric practices. This method successfully identified infants with permanent hearing loss, offering an alternative where objective screening is unavailable.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Audiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infant hearing screening is crucial for early detection of hearing loss.
  • Germany's current infant hearing screening program needs effective tools.
  • The LittlEARS® Auditory Questionnaire (LEAQ®) offers a parent-completed screening method.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility of integrating the LEAQ® into Germany's infant hearing screening program.
  • To assess the LEAQ®'s effectiveness in identifying infants with hearing impairments.

Main Methods:

  • The LEAQ® was administered to 5316 infants (9-14 months) across 47 pediatric practices.
  • Infants failing initial or rescreening were referred to specialists.
  • A 3-year follow-up was conducted on infants who failed and a control group.

Main Results:

  • Six infants with permanent hearing loss were identified using the LEAQ®.
  • The questionnaire proved easily implementable in pediatric settings.

Conclusions:

  • The LEAQ® is a viable screening tool for infant hearing in Germany.
  • It serves as a potential alternative to objective screening methods, especially where those are unavailable.
  • The LEAQ® can monitor infant hearing development and detect late-onset or progressive hearing loss.

Keywords:
acquired hearing losslate-onset hearing losspediatricprogressive hearing loss

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