Universal Auditory Screening of Neonates and Hearing Disorders in Childhood

Abstract

The decision was taken to make universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) mandatory across Germany as of January 1, 2009. (The Federal Joint Committee [Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss], which is the main self-governing body of health care providers and health insurance companies in Germany, announced a decision to amend the pediatric guidelines in its statement dated June 19, 2008, entitled Einfuhrung eines Neugeborenen-Horscreenings [Introduction of Auditory Screening of Neonates], as was previously reported in Deutsches Arzteblatt; see Dtsch Arztebl 2008; 105[43]: A 2239 [article in German].) This program enables the earlier diagnosis and treatment of uni- or bilateral hearing impairment of magnitude 35 dB or more in newborn children. The introduction of nation-wide UNHS was also the major topic of the 25th Scientific Meeting of the German Society for Phoniatry and Pediatric Audiology [Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Phoniatrie und Padaudiologie, DGPP], which was held in Dusseldorf in September 2008. Until now, UNHS was performed in only some of the German federal states. It became mandatory across the country at the beginning of this year, along with the associated quality assurance mechanisms and provisions for follow-up care. Thus, a child’s first test for potential hearing impairment no longer takes place at the age of about two and half years, as in the past, but rather shortly after birth. The experts predict that this will bring about long-term improvements in speech acquisition and educational opportunities.