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Early detection of hearing disorders in The Netherlands. A review on 15 years of experience
Insights
The Dutch nationwide infant hearing screening program, using the Ewing test, effectively identifies hearing loss in babies. Early detection through screening significantly reduces diagnostic delays compared to unscreened children.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The Netherlands has implemented a nationwide infant hearing screening program since the late 1960s.
- The program utilizes a modified version of the Ewing method for hearing assessment.
- Coordinated by the Dutch Foundation for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Child, it screens approximately 70% of 9-month-old infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the Ewing test in the Dutch infant hearing screening program.
- To assess the types of hearing loss detected by the Ewing test.
- To compare diagnostic ages for screened versus unscreened children.
Main Methods:
- A follow-up study was conducted on a population of 35,000 children.
- The study analyzed data from the nationwide screening program, which has screened over 700,000 children since 1964.
- Effectiveness was determined by the test's ability to detect various hearing impairments.
Main Results:
- The Ewing test proved effective in identifying hearing impairments.
- The test successfully detected both severe and moderate sensorineural hearing losses, as well as conductive hearing losses.
- The number of children with undetected hearing loss via the Ewing test was found to be relatively low.
Conclusions:
- The modified Ewing test is an effective tool for early infant hearing screening.
- Screening identifies a significant number of infants with hearing loss, preventing later diagnoses.
- Children not participating in screening programs are diagnosed with hearing loss at a considerably later age.
Abstract:
In the Netherlands we have a nation-wide screening program on hearing for for infants. This program started around the late sixties. A modification of the method as developed by the Ewings is used. The Dutch Foundation for the Deaf and Hearing-Impaired Child co-ordinates the screening program. 70% of the 9 months old babies are screened. The total number of children screened from 1964 onwards until today exceeds the 700.000. A follow-up study of a population of 35.000 children showed us that: the Ewing-test is effective; it detects both severe and moderate perception hearing-losses as well as conductive hearing-losses: the number of children that is not detected with the Ewing is relatively low; children who have not been screened are diagnosed at a much later age.