Evaluation of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and follow-up

Abstract

Universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) was established in Germany in 2009. Even compliance was tested in early studies, there is little knowledge regarding the follow-up examination of children with suspected hearing disorder. A retrospective evaluation was performed in 570cases of children who failed newborn hearing screening for the years between 2009-2016. Hearing deficiency was defined as having a hearing threshold ≥ 35 dB. Compliance with national guidelines was checked. Every child received brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA). Permanent hearing disorder was found in 24 %, of whom about half (51 %) had an inner ear hearing loss (of these in 73 % bilateral). Only 27 % of high risk children born in peripheral hospitals were tested immediately by the envisaged automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) method. They often presented tardy, leading to a delayed diagnosis and therapy. Children tracked by the Bavarian health office presented little earlier but had less cases who were lost to follow-up. In 93 % a diagnosis was made during first examination and therapy (e. g. prescription of hearing aids) initiated on average within four months age. The rate of deafness corresponded with national averages. The quality of primary screenings is crucial in revealing problems and avoiding delay in dealing with them.