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Published on: July 1, 2015
Neonatal hearing screening with an automated auditory brainstem response screener in the infant's home
A M Oudesluys-Murphy1, J Harlaar
1Department of Paediatrics, Ziderziekenhuls, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Insights
Home-based neonatal hearing screening using automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) is feasible. This approach ensures timely intervention for infants, supporting crucial speech and language development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Early detection of congenital and perinatal hearing impairment is critical for infant development.
- Shortened hospital stays limit in-hospital neonatal hearing screening opportunities.
- Home-based screening is a potential solution to achieve universal coverage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of home-based neonatal hearing screening using an automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) device.
- To evaluate the efficiency and outcomes of this screening method in a community setting.
Main Methods:
- A feasibility study was conducted in the Netherlands.
- Nurses utilized an AABR infant screener during home visits.
- Screening was integrated into existing Well Baby Clinic services.
Main Results:
- 277 infants completed the screening.
- 266 infants passed, 7 were referred, and 4 had inconclusive results.
- The average screening time was 18 minutes per infant.
Conclusions:
- Home-based neonatal hearing screening with AABR is a viable option.
- This method can help achieve universal screening and timely intervention for hearing loss.
- It supports optimal development of speech, language, and academic skills in infants.
Abstract:
Universal neonatal hearing screening is essential if all infants with congenital or perinatally acquired hearing impairment are to begin treatment before the age of 6 months to facilitate development of speech, language, communication and academic skills. Screening cannot always take place in hospital because of the increase in very short-stay deliveries. Therefore screening in the home may be necessary to achieve a high level of screening. We describe a feasibility study with an automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) screener in the infant's home as part of the service offered by the Well Baby Clinics in the Netherlands. Of the 277 infants who completed the screening 266 had the results "pass", 7 "refer" and 4 had inconclusive results. The mean time needed per screening was 18 min. This study shows that neonatal hearing screening by nurses using an AABR infant screener in the home is feasible.
