Cost-effectiveness of School Hearing Screening Programs: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Audiology

Background:

• School hearing screening is crucial for detecting hearing loss in children post-newborn screening.
• Implementation is inconsistent, with mixed evidence on its economic value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of all published cost-effectiveness studies on school hearing screening programs globally.
• To address the lack of prior reviews on this specific topic.

Main Methods:

• Searched four major databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library).
• Included studies with cost analysis of school-based screening for school-aged children.
• Excluded studies focusing solely on neonatal or preschool programs.

Main Results:

• Four of five studies found school hearing screening cost-effective, using quality- or disability-adjusted life years.
• Reported incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) varied, with one study showing a new program dominating the old.
• One study indicated school-entry screening was not cost-effective compared to no screening.

Conclusions:

• Most studies conclude school hearing screening is cost-effective.
• Methodological variations and region-specific data limit the generalizability of findings.