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Screening of Newborn Hearing at a Tertiary Care Hospital in South India
Hosaagrahara Subbegowda Satish1, Ramabhadraiah Anil Kumar1, Borlingegowda Viswanatha1
1Department of ENT, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Fort, K.R. Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560002 India.
Insights
Newborn hearing screening is crucial for early detection of hearing loss in infants. A multi-stage protocol using otoacoustic emission and Brainstem evoked response audiometry tests is recommended for efficient identification and timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hearing loss significantly impacts a child's cognitive and psychological development.
- Early detection and intervention are vital for managing childhood deafness.
- A high burden of hearing disability necessitates robust screening programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement a newborn hearing screening program at Vanivilas Hospital.
- To determine the incidence of hearing loss in newborns, particularly in high-risk groups.
- To raise awareness about childhood deafness and establish a center for auditory rehabilitation.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 26,487 neonates screened between May 2015 and May 2017.
- Utilized a four-stage screening protocol including otoacoustic emission (OAE) and Brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) tests.
- Screening was conducted irrespective of risk factors to ensure comprehensive detection.
Main Results:
- 19 newborns (0.717/1000) were diagnosed with hearing impairment.
- The incidence of hearing loss was 0.188/1000 in the high-risk group and 0.528/1000 in the non-risk group.
- Data highlights the effectiveness of the multi-stage screening protocol.
Conclusions:
- Newborn hearing screening should be mandatory to facilitate early diagnosis.
- Implementing a multi-stage protocol enhances screening efficiency and allows for timely treatment.
- Early intervention prevents further auditory damage and improves developmental outcomes.
Abstract:
Hearing loss can have a devastating impact on the cognitive development and psychological well-being of children and their families. Newborn hearing screening should be given special attention especially in a country like ours where the burden of this disability is heavy. Screening all newborns irrespective of risk factors helps in better detection, and hence further management can be initiated at appropriate time. To implement newborn hearing screening at Vanivilas hospital and to estimate the incidence of hearing loss among the high risk groups. To create awareness about the need for detecting childhood deafness among parents and general population. To develop a centre of excellence for evaluation, intervention and rehabilitation for hearing impaired in a tertiary care hospital. Prospective study. All neonates born in Vanivilas Hospital attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute underwent hearing screening using four stage protocols with otoacoustic emission (OAE) tests and final confirmation with Brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) tests. May 2015-May 2017. Number of newborns screened were 26,487, and 19 (0.717/1000) newborns were detected to have hearing impairment. The incidence of hearing loss among high risk group was 0.188/1000, and among the non risk group was 0.528/1000. Newborn hearing screening must be made mandatory and multi-staged protocol based screening for hearing loss should be implemented. This will make newborn screening programme more efficient and also will help in initiating treatment at an early stage so that further damage can be prevented.
