Does universal newborn hearing screening impact the timing of deafness treatment?

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the impact of the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS) on the age at diagnosis, beginning of treatment, and first cochlear implant surgery. Methods: A retrospective cohort study with children up to 12 years old with bilateral hearing loss were divided into two groups: patients who underwent UNHS and the ones who didn't. The groups were compared according to their age at the beginning of the evaluation at a specialized center, at the beginning of the intervention, and, for the ones who had indication, at the cochlear implant surgery. The group who underwent UNHS was divided between the ones who passed the screening test and the ones who didn't. They were compared according to their ages at the same moments as the first two groups. Results: 135 patients were included. The median age at the first appointment in a specialized center was 1.42 (0.50 and 2.50) years, at the beginning of treatment 2.00 (1.00 and 3.52) years, and the cochlear implant surgery 2.83 (1.83 and 4.66) years. Children who underwent UNHS were younger than those who didn't, at the three evaluated moments (p < 0.001). In a subanalysis, children who passed the UNHS but were later diagnosed with hearing loss reached the first appointment with a specialist and started treatment older than those who failed the tests. Conclusion: Performing UNHS interfered with the timing of deafness diagnosis and treatment. However, children who passed the screening but were later diagnosed with hearing loss were the category with the most important delay.

Monitoramento audiológico de lactentes em diferentes programas de triagem auditiva neonatal: uma revisão sistemática / Audiological monitoring of infants in different newborn hearing screening programs: a systematic review

RESUMO Objetivos Buscar na literatura informações quanto aos aspectos que guiam o monitoramento audiológico infantil, descrevendo os procedimentos utilizados, a idade em que são realizados, qual a população monitorada e os países que mais estudam sobre o assunto. Além de discutir a importância dessa etapa e a eficácia desses aspectos. Estratégia de pesquisa A revisão foi conduzida com base nas recomendações PRISMA e registrada na plataforma PROSPERO. Os estudos foram pesquisados nas bases de dados eletrônicas Medline (Pubmed), Web of Science e SciELO, com os descritores hearing, neonatal screening e follow up. Critérios de seleção Foram incluídos estudos que descrevessem o monitoramento audiológico. Não foram empregados filtros do ano de publicação, tampouco para os idiomas dos mesmos. Resultados Foram encontrados 432 artigos e 21 foram incluídos nesse estudo, sendo que a maioria foi produzida em países desenvolvidos. O Potencial Evocado Auditivo de Tronco Encefálico e a Avaliação Comportamental foram os procedimentos mais utilizados. Quanto a idade e população, a maioria realiza o monitoramento até os três anos e em crianças com Indicadores para a Deficiência Auditiva. Conclusão Os estudos demonstraram que não há padrão entre os protocolos para a realização do monitoramento audiológico, porém foi possível identificar que as pesquisas apresentam uma maior concordância quanto a idade em que tal monitoramento acontece e qual a população que deve ser monitorada. Entretanto, embora haja discordâncias, os métodos de avaliação utilizados pelos estudos são eficazes para a detecção de perdas auditiva de caráter leve, progressivo e/ou tardio, além dos casos de falso negativo.

ABSTRACT Purpose To search the literature for guidelines on infant's audiological monitoring, most commonly used procedures, the age at which they are performed, which population should be monitored and the countries that study the subject the most. Besides, the importance and effectiveness of these measures will be discussed. Research strategy The review was conducted based on the PRISMA recommendations, registered on the PROSPERO platform. The studies were searched for in the electronic databases Medline (Pubmed), Web of Science and SciELO, using the descriptors hearing, neonatal screening and follow up. Selection criteria studies reporting the audiological monitoring were included. No filters on year and language of publication were used. Results A total of 432 articles were found and 21 were included in this study, mostly produced in developed countries. The Auditory Brainstem Response and the Behavioral Assessment were the most frequently used procedures. As to age and population, most infants are subjected to audiological monitoring up to three years of age and have Risk Factors for Hearing Loss in their clinical history. Conclusion The studies pointed that there is no standard among the protocols for performing audiological monitoring, but it was possible to identify agreement as to the age at which such monitoring takes place and which population should be monitored. However, although there is some disagreement, the assessment methods used in the studies are effective in detecting mild, progressive and/or late hearing loss, in addition to false negative cases.

Procedimiento para el pesquisaje auditivo universal en la población neonatal, Cuba, 2018 / A Procedure for Universal Hearing Screening in the Neonatal Population, Cuba, 2018

Introducción: El pesquisaje auditivo neonatal es una de las técnicas más utilizadas para realizar el diagnóstico precoz y oportuno de las pérdidas auditivas que llevan a una discapacidad. Objetivo: Diseñar el procedimiento para la pesquisa auditiva universal en la población neonatal cubana. Métodos: Estudio de desarrollo tecnológico, realizado de enero a diciembre de 2017. Se seleccionaron expertos mediante la autoevaluación y el coeficiente de competencia de Kappa, quienes participaron en el diseño a través de la técnica de grupos nominales, para el análisis de los problemas que limitan el pesquisaje auditivo universal y las potencialidades científicas, organizativas y funcionales de la red de servicios de atención a los desórdenes auditivos. Con posterioridad valoraron el procedimiento de forma individual y se aplicó la técnica de grupos nominales para lograr consenso. La revisión bibliográfica permitió valorar los aciertos y dificultades de otros procedimientos establecidos en otros contextos. Resultados: Se obtuvo como resultado el procedimiento para el pesquisaje auditivo universal, estructurado en tres componentes: pesquisaje, diagnóstico y rehabilitación. Conclusiones: El procedimiento diseñado para la detección universal precoz neonatal de las pérdidas auditivas en la población neonatal cubana estandariza los procesos de prestación de servicios de salud, mediante la gestión integral para prevenir y controlar, en forma oportuna, los eventos que afectan la salud auditiva(AU)

Introduction: Neonatal hearing screening is one of the most widely used techniques for early and timely diagnosis of hearing losses that lead to disability. Objective: To design the procedure for universal hearing screening in the Cuban neonatal population. Methods: Technological development study carried out from January to December 2017. Experts were selected through self-evaluation and the Kappa competence coefficient. The experts participated in the design through the nominal groups technique, in view of the analysis of the problems limiting universal hearing screening and the scientific, organizational and functional potentialities of the healthcare network for hearing disorders. Subsequently, they assessed the procedure individually and the nominal groups technique was applied to achieve consensus. The bibliographic review allowed to assess the accomplishments and difficulties of other procedures established in other settings. Results: The procedure for universal hearing screening was obtained as a result, structured in three components: screening, diagnosis and rehabilitation. Conclusions: The procedure designed for universal early neonatal screening of hearing loss in the Cuban neonatal population standardizes the processes of providing healthcare, through comprehensive management to prevent and control, timely, events that affect hearing-related health(AU)

Exploration on the Optimal Initial Screen Time in Newborns with Different Modles ofDelivery Using AABR / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To explore optimal initial the best screening time for newborns with different delivery methods using AABR.Methods A total of 550 newborns who were born from August 1, 2016 to October 31, 2016 at our hospital participated in the study.AABR was used to accomplish the initial hearing screening.The newborns were divided into 2 groups according to the delivery methods.There were each 100 neonates born in vaginal during 0.05).There were 250 newborns in cesarean section, the pass rate of 24~48 h after birth group was significantly higher than that in 24 h group (83.00% vs 68.00%,x2=4.437, P=0.04<0.05), and significantly lower than that of 48~72 h group (94.00% vs 83.00%,x2=5.944, P=0.02<0.05).Conclusion Taking into account of hospitalization time, the screening time for the vaginal delivery newborn hearing screening can be advanced to 24~48 h after birth with the application of AABR, but not for the cesarean section group.

Low cost calibrated mechanical noisemaker for hearing screening of neonates in resource constrained settings.

Background & objectives: There is a need to develop an affordable and reliable tool for hearing screening of neonates in resource constrained, medically underserved areas of developing nations. This study valuates a strategy of health worker based screening of neonates using a low cost mechanical calibrated noisemaker followed up with parental monitoring of age appropriate auditory milestones for detecting severe-profound hearing impairment in infants by 6 months of age. Methods: A trained health worker under the supervision of a qualified audiologist screened 425 neonates of whom 20 had confirmed severe-profound hearing impairment. Mechanical calibrated noisemakers of 50, 60, 70 and 80 dB (A) were used to elicit the behavioural responses. The parents of screened neonates were instructed to monitor the normal language and auditory milestones till 6 months of age. This strategy was validated against the reference standard consisting of a battery of tests - namely, auditory brain stem response (ABR), otoacoustic emissions (OAE) and behavioural assessment at 2 years of age. Bayesian prevalence weighted measures of screening were calculated. Results: The sensitivity and specificity was high with least false positive referrals for 70 and 80 dB (A) noisemakers. All the noisemakers had 100 per cent negative predictive value. 70 and 80 dB (A) noisemakers had high positive likelihood ratios of 19 and 34, respectively. The probability differences for pre- and post- test positive was 43 and 58 for 70 and 80 dB (A) noisemakers, respectively. Interpretation & conclusions: In a controlled setting, health workers with primary education can be trained to use a mechanical calibrated noisemaker made of locally available material to reliably screen for severe-profound hearing loss in neonates. The monitoring of auditory responses could be done by informed parents. Multi-centre field trials of this strategy need to be carried out to examine the feasibility of community health care workers using it in resource constrained settings of developing nations to implement an effective national neonatal hearing screening programme.

Neonatal Hearing Screening in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduate

PURPOSE: Hearing loss is one of the common birth defects in humans, with a reported prevalence of 1-3 per 1000 newborns. We investigated the incidence of hearing loss and evaluated the use of neonatal hearing screening test in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) graduates who are at greater risk for hearing loss than normal newborns. METHODS: The neonates admitted to the NICU of Asan Medical Center from 1 March, 2003 to 30 March, 2008 who were available for follow-up were included. Those who failed the first auditory brainstem response prior to discharge were retested with the stapedial reflex test, auditory brainstem response and tympanometry in the Otolaryngology department. RESULTS: Of 2,137 neonates, 2,000 (93.5%) neonates were tested prior to discharge. Sixty-seven neonates (3.4%) failed the first newborn hearing screening test. Of 67 infants, 52 infants were retested for a second hearing test. Excluding 10 infants (19.2%) who were lost during follow-up, 16 infants were confirmed to have hearing impairment of which 12 and 4 infants had unilateral and bilateral hearing loss, respectively. Of 16 infants, 5 did not meet the criteria set by the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hearing impairment in NICU graduates is about 0.8%, excluding those who were lost for follow up, necessitating a systemic and effective hearing assessment program among these high risk infants and more generous national insurance coverage.

Neonatal hearing screening in a neonatal intensive care unit using distortion product otoacoustic emissions / 소아과

PURPOSE: Early detection and intervention of hearing impairment is believed to improve speech and language development and behavior of children. The aim of this preliminary study was to determine the prevalence of hearing impairments, and to identify the association of risk factors relating to refer response in high risk neonates who were screened using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE). METHODS: The subjects included 871 neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the Pediatric Department in Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from May, 2001 to December, 2004. They were screened using DPOAE. Based on DPOAE, we divided the neonates in two groups:'Pass' and 'Refer'. The differences in risk factors between the pass group and the refer group were analyzed. RESULTS: The incidence of the refer group was 12.1 percent(106 out of 871). The bilateral refer rate was 5.4 percent(47 out of 871). And the unilateral refer rate was 6.7 percent(59 out of 871). Gender, birth place, family history of hearing loss, small/large for gestational age, obstetrical factor, hyperbilirubinemia and use of gentamicin were not statistically related to the refer rate. Statistically related to refer rate were birth weight, resuscitated neonates, Apgar score, craniofacial anomaly, mechanical ventilator application, sepsis, using of vancomycin(P or = 60 dB) in this study was 2 percent(18 out of 871). CONCLUSION: This study showed a higher prevalence of hearing impairment in high-risk neonates. Thus neonatal hearing screening should be carried out in high-risk neonates.

Investigation of Automated Neonatal Hearing Screening for Early Detection of Childhood Hearing Impairment / 소아과

PURPOSE: Early diagnosis of congenital hearing loss through the neonatal hearing screening test minimizes language defect. This research intends to identify frequency of congenital hearing loss in infants through neonatal hearing screening test with the aim of communicating the importance of hearing test for infants. METHODS: From May 20, 2003 to May 19, 2004, infants were subjected to Automated Auditory Brainstem Response test during one month of birth to conduct the test with 35 dB sound. Infants who passed the 1st round of hearing test, were classified into 'pass' group whereas those who did not were classified into 'refer' group. Infants who did not 'pass' in the hearing test conducted within one month of birth were subjected to re-test one month later, and if classified as 'refer' during the re-test, they were subjected to the diagnosis for validation of hearing loss by requesting test to the hearing loss clinic. RESULTS: There was no difference among the 'pass' and 'refer' group in terms of form of childbirth, weight at birth and gestational age. In the 1st test, total of 45 infants were classified into 'refer' group. Six among 35 who were subjected to re-test (17%) did not pass the re-test, and all were diagnosed with congenital hearing loss. This corresponds to 0.35% (3.5 per 1, 000) among total number of 1, 718 subjects. CONCLUSION: In our study the congenital hearing loss tends to be considerably more frequently than congenital metabolic disorder. Accordingly, newly born infants are strongly recommended to undergo neonatal hearing screening test.

Analysis of 11 275 Cases of Neonatal Hearing Screening / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To develop the neonatal hearing screening,investigate the incidence and relevant high-risk factors of congenital hearing loss,and explore feasible methods of early screening,diagnosis,following-up and intervention.Methods DPOAE was used for the newborns.The children who failed the tests or had high-risk factors of hearing loss were re-screened using DPOAE and AABR 42 days.ABR was used as the diagnostic test for those who had abnormal results at 3 months,ABR and ASSR were used at 6 months for the second diagnosis.The children with hearing loss were intervened in time,and were arranged for routine following-up and audiological evaluation.Results The normal neonates who failed the first screening was 14.8%,infants with high-risk factors was 21.5%,the large number of normal infants passed re-screening and half of high-risk neonates failed.By analysis of patients who had three-month diagnosis,the incidence of congenital hearing loss was about 2.75‰,and mild-grade,middle-grade,severe,profound was 0.18‰,1.78‰,0.26‰ and 0.53‰ respectively.Conclusion The incidence of congenital hearing loss is the highest in congenital diseases,usual screening is necessary.Questionnaire for high-risk factors of hearing loss must be done;it is very important to follow-up the abnormal infants.