Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2025
Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023
Assessment of the efficacy of hearing screening program in infants in Zahedan
Reza Gharibi1, Gholam-Ali Dashti Khavidaki1
1Department of ENT Disorder, AL-Zahra Hospital, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
Insights
Newborn hearing screening in Zahedan identified 8 cases of hearing loss among 7700 infants. Early detection through programs like OAE and AABR is crucial for timely intervention and improved child development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Congenital hearing loss affects 3.5-9% of newborns globally.
- Early diagnosis is critical for language, communication, and educational development.
- Infant hearing screening is essential for identifying hearing impairments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of newborn hearing screening programs.
- To assess the prevalence of hearing loss in infants in Zahedan, Iran.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Zahedan maternity hospitals in 2020.
- Newborns underwent screening using Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) tests.
- A multi-stage screening protocol was implemented, including repeat testing and diagnostic ABR.
Main Results:
- Out of 7700 infants screened, 580 (8%) initially failed the OAE test.
- A second OAE screening rejected 76 infants, and subsequent AABR testing identified 8 cases of hearing loss.
- Of the diagnosed cases, 33% had conductive hearing loss and 67% had sensorineural hearing loss.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive neonatal hearing screening programs are vital for early diagnosis and treatment.
- Effective screening can significantly improve infant health and long-term developmental outcomes.
- Implementing and optimizing screening protocols aids in managing congenital hearing loss.
Introduction:
Hearing loss is one of the major congenital problems. The frequency of this problem in different countries has been found to be 3.5-9%, which may induce negative effects on communications, education, and language learning in children. In addition, diagnosing this problem in infants is not possible without implementing the hearing screening methods. Therefore, the objective of this research was to assess the efficacy of newborn hearing screening programs in Zahedan, Iran.
Method:
In the present cross-sectional observational study, all infants born in the maternity hospitals of Zahedan city (hospitals of Nabi Akram, Imam Ali, and Social Security hospitals) in 2020, were assessed. For conducting the research, TEOAE was primarily performed for all newborns. Following that, according to the findings obtained in the ODA test and in case of inappropriate response, evaluation was performed again for the cases. Cases that were rejected again in the second assessment were subjected to the AABR test and in case of failure in this test, the cases underwent a diagnostic ABR test.
Results:
According to our findings, 7700 babies were initially assessed with the OAE test. Among them, 580 (8%) showed no OAE response. Out of 580 newborns that were rejected in the first phase, 76 babies were also rejected in the second phase and amongst them, 8 cases were re-diagnosed with hearing loss. Finally, out of 3 infants who were diagnosed with hearing impairments, 1 (33%) had conductive hearing loss and 2 (67%) had sensorineural hearing loss.
Conclusion:
According to the results of this research, the use of comprehensive neonatal hearing screening programs is necessary for on-time diagnosis and therapy of hearing loss. In addition, screening programs could help improving the health of newborns and their personal, social, and educational development in the future.
More Related Videos
14:05Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
08:30Neonatal Murine Cochlear Explant Technique as an In Vitro Screening Tool in Hearing Research
Published on: June 8, 2017