Exploration of preschool hearing screening at primary healthcare centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Audiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Childhood hearing loss can impact learning and development, necessitating ongoing surveillance beyond newborn screening.
• Preschool hearing screening (PHS) is essential for early detection of hearing impairments in young children.
• The current practices and challenges of PHS in Saudi Arabian primary healthcare centers (PHCs) were not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the current practices of preschool hearing screening (PHS) within primary healthcare centers (PHCs) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
• To identify the methods used, personnel involved, and challenges faced in implementing PHS.
• To provide insights for improving early hearing loss detection and intervention strategies.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive study design was employed.
• Data were collected using an in-person-administered questionnaire.
• 106 healthcare professionals from PHCs in Riyadh participated in the study.

Main Results:

• PHS predominantly utilized subjective methods, relying on parental (71.7%) and child (65.1%) reports.
• Objective audiometric evaluations were performed in only half of the PHCs.
• Identified challenges included a lack of training, inadequate equipment, and insufficient audiological services.

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps exist in the current PHS practices in Saudi Arabian PHCs, with a reliance on subjective assessments.
• Addressing the identified challenges through training, resources, and audiological support is critical.
• Implementing standardized, objective PHS protocols is recommended for early identification and effective intervention of childhood hearing loss.