Program of early identification of hearing loss in newborns in Poland

Abstract

For 12 years, the team of the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing has been conducting a program of early identification of hearing impairments in newborns and infants, as well as investigations concerning epidemiology and etiology of hearing loss. The authors present the program conducted in Poland based on many years of experience of the Institute including the most significant results achieved in collaboration with over 100 centers.The program effected in identification of a significant group of children with hearing loss, selecting and defining the high-risk group, significantly lowering the average age of identification of hearing impairment, and making the grounds for implementation of the universal hearing screening realized by the Foundation of the Grand Orchestra of Holiday Aid.In the past decade, hearing screening of newborns has achieved a solid position among the recognized clinical procedures worldwide. However, only a few countries are close to practical implementation of that idea. In Poland, we are starting the countrywide program based on 12 years of experience of the Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing in Warsaw with social funds gathered by the Foundation of the Grand Orchestra of Holiday Aid.The aim of this report is to present the program of hearing screening of newborns and infants conducted in Poland for the last 12 years.