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Universal screening for infant hearing impairment: simple, beneficial, and presently justified
1Early Intervention Research Institute, Utah State University, Logan 84322-6580, USA.
Insights
Universal newborn hearing screening is recommended for all infants. This approach is practical, effective, cost-efficient, and safe, supporting its immediate implementation in birthing hospitals.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Audiology
Background:
- The National Institutes of Health recommend universal newborn hearing screening.
- Bess and Paradise contested this recommendation in a 1994 Pediatrics article.
- Concerns were raised regarding the feasibility and efficacy of widespread screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address objections to universal newborn hearing screening.
- To present evidence supporting the implementation of newborn hearing screening programs.
- To advocate for the prompt adoption of universal screening protocols.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing data on newborn hearing screening.
- Analysis of outcomes from operational newborn hearing screening programs.
- Evaluation of the practicability, effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and safety of universal screening.
Main Results:
- Data demonstrate that universal newborn hearing screening is practicable.
- Screening programs have proven effective in identifying infants with hearing loss.
- The procedure is cost-efficient and safe for newborns.
Conclusions:
- Universal newborn hearing screening is a viable and beneficial public health initiative.
- The evidence supports the immediate implementation of these screening programs.
- Continued delay in adopting universal screening is not justified by current data.
Abstract:
In a recent article, Bess and Paradise (Pediatrics 93 (1994) 330-334) rejected the recommendation of the National Institutes of Health that all infants be screened for hearing loss on being released from their birthing hospital. This article responds to their objections with data from the literature and operational newborn hearing screening programs. These data show that universal newborn hearing screening is practicable, effective, cost-efficient, and safe, and concludes that such programs should be implemented without further delay.