RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate 1) the outcomes of a local universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) programme and its audiological follow-ups at 3- and 6-month points, 2) the education outcomes of children with congenital hearing loss (CHL). DESIGN: Retrospective study that analysed data containing hearing screening, diagnosis, intervention and schooling information from electronic databases. STUDY SAMPLE: Children aged 5 to 15 years old who were born between 2004-2014 and underwent UNHS in a local hospital. RESULTS: Over a 10-year cohort, 99.4% of 29,972 newborns underwent UNHS; approximately 90% of them were screened by 1 month of age. However, only 10% of the cohort strictly fulfilled the 1-3-6 criteria recommended by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing. Lost to follow-up (LTF) rate was highest at post-diagnosis (35%). 80% of infants who were intervened between 6 and 48 months of age went to mainstream schools. The remaining 20% had additional disabilities or family factors. CONCLUSIONS: A high UNHS coverage rate may not translate to meeting the 1-3-6 criteria. Despite ease of access to our healthcare system, LTF at post-diagnosis remained high. In the absence of additional disabilities or family factors, infants intervened during the sensitive window could still potentially make it into mainstream schools.
