Newborn and infant hearing screening for early detection of hearing loss in Nairobi, Kenya
Serah Ndegwa1, Debara Tucci2, James Lemons3
1Department of Surgery, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
Insights
Early infant hearing screening in Nairobi identified a hearing loss prevalence of 3/1000. Establishing universal newborn hearing screening programs is crucial for timely intervention and better developmental outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Early detection of hearing loss in infants is critical for optimal speech, language, and educational development.
- Timely intervention can significantly improve long-term socioeconomic prospects.
- Newborn and infant hearing screening programs are key to achieving early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To ascertain the prevalence of hearing loss among newborns and infants in Nairobi, Kenya.
- To evaluate the feasibility of implementing hearing screening programs in a resource-limited setting.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional pilot study involved 9,963 infants aged 0-3 years screened over nine months.
- Screening utilized Distortion Product Oto-acoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) and automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR).
- Data collection included case histories and follow-up assessments for referred infants.
Main Results:
- A high screening coverage rate of 98.6% was achieved.
- The initial referral rate was 3.6%, with a 72% return rate for follow-up.
- A confirmed hearing loss prevalence of 3/1000 was identified among the screened infants.
Conclusions:
- Universal newborn and infant hearing screening programs are vital for early identification and intervention.
- Effective data management and robust follow-up systems are essential for diagnostic confirmation and timely intervention.
- The study highlights the importance of establishing such programs to improve child development outcomes.
Background:
Early detection of hearing loss and subsequent intervention leads to better speech, language and educational outcomes giving way to improved social economic prospects in adult life. This can be achieved through establishing newborn and infant hearing screening programs.
Objective:
To determine the prevalence of hearing loss in newborns and infants in Nairobi, Kenya.
Methods:
A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted at the National hospital and at a sub county hospital immunization clinic. A total of 9,963 babies aged 0-3 years, were enrolled in the hearing screening program through convenient sampling over a period of nine months. A case history was administered followed by Distortion Product Oto-acoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) hearing screening.
Results:
The screening coverage rate was 98.6% (9963/10,104). The referral rate for the initial screen was 3.6% (356/ 9,963), the return rate for follow-up rescreening was 72% (258 babies out of 356) with a lost to follow-up rate of 28% (98/356). The referral rate of the second screen was 10% (26/258). All the 26 babies referred from the second screen returned for diagnostic hearing evaluation and were confirmed with hearing loss, yielding a prevalence of 3/1000.
Conclusions:
Establishing universal newborn and infant hearing screening programs is essential for early detection and intervention for hearing loss. Data management and efficient follow-up systems are an integral part of achieving diagnostic confirmation of hearing loss and early intervention.
