Pre-school hearing screening is necessary to detect childhood hearing loss after the newborn period: a study exploring risk factors, additional disabilities, and referral pathways

Abstract

Objective To explore strategies for detecting childhood hearing loss, aside from newborn hearing screening. Design A retrospective review of medical records on the modes of detection of hearing loss, risk factors for late-onset hearing loss, hearing loss degree, aetiology, additional disabilities, and timelines from referral to intervention. Study sample Children, born 2006 to 2015, enrolled for intervention whose hearing loss was detected up to age 7 years but not from newborn hearing screening (n = 326). Results Universal pre-school hearing screening detected 38% of the cohort at 4–5 years of age. Risk factors for late-onset hearing loss were present in 36% of children, 80% of whom had a reported family history. Sixty-nine percent had mild bilateral or unilateral hearing loss. Children with additional disabilities faced significantly longer delays from referral to intervention. Children self-referred due to parent concern had more severe degree of hearing loss than those referred from screening. Conclusion Most children with hearing loss detected after the newborn period do not have any known risk factors for late-onset hearing loss. Pre-school hearing screening is needed for comprehensive detection of hearing loss in early childhood. More work is needed towards improving timely diagnosis and intervention for children with additional disabilities.