Universal Newborn Hearing Screening: An Indian Experience of Conceptualizing and Testing a Comprehensive Model.

Abstract

There have been isolated attempts to implement newborn hearing screening at various setups across India. However, none of these attempts has followed a holistic model comprising of multiple components. Therefore, a need was felt to design and implement a comprehensive universal newborn hearing-screening model to, improve follow-up, and provide practically implementable solutions for developing economies. The model was conceptualized after a detailed preliminary planning level. Separate protocols for newborns from well-baby nursery and neonatal intensive care unit were implemented. Measures were implemented to improve follow-up. Knowledge, attitude, and practices survey followed by a sensitization program was carried out to highlight the importance of newborn hearing screening among the healthcare providers. A knowledge and attitude survey was also carried out among mothers. The estimated prevalence rate was 8.78 per 1000. Measures enabled an improved follow-up rate that lead to a reduced age of identification to 6months. The surveys among mothers and healthcare providers helped to identify the lacunae in knowledge levels, which need to be filled in order to improve their attitudes. Thus, this was a successful model for universal newborn hearing screening comprising of two-stage screening, separate protocols, steps to improve follow-up, improving awareness among parents, sensitization programs, and surveys among mothers as well as healthcare providers.