Detection Of Congenital Hearing Loss Research Articles

Age of detection of congenital hearing loss in South Africa: A systematic review

Background: Newborn hearing screening is the most important step towards early intervention of congenital or early-onset hearing loss (HL) and has the potential to optimise patient outcomes. Yet, literature on the age of identification of this HL in South Africa (SA) is sparse.Aim: To determine the age of identification of congenital HL from published studies in SA.Setting: The study was conducted in SA.Methods: This was a systematic review conducted during April 2024 – June 2024 across the following databases: PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science and Scopus. A random effects (RE) model meta-analysis was conducted using STATA version 18. Statistical tests conducted include meta-summary statistics and RE meta-analysis.Results: Ten studies, with a total of 1501 children, were included in this review. The computed Q-test of homogeneity was 5870.97 and the pooled mean age of identification was 30 months (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 19.3–41.3).Conclusion: These findings show that congenital or early-onset HL in SA is identified later than the national and international standards, that is, 1 month of age. These findings are important for future research, priority setting and implementation of strategies to reduce the burden and impact of HL. Future research investigating the barriers to early detection of HL in SA is recommended. Furthermore, the implementation of evidence-based interventions to lower the age of identification of congenital HL to enable its early detection and intervention in this age group is recommended.Contribution: This study highlights the need to strengthen preventative programmes for paediatric HL in SA.

The Effect of a Words-in-Noise Training Method on Speech Perception in Noise of Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss

Background and Aim: Despite more affordable and advanced technologies for early detection of congenital hearing loss, unilateral hearing loss is the prevalent form of hearing loss affecting school-aged children. This study aimed to examine the impact of Words-in-Noise (WIN) training on speech perception of noise in children with unilateral hearing loss. Methods: Thirteen children aged 8 to 12 years with unilateral hearing loss underwent a WIN training program in noise. The participants were tested before and after training on word identification in noise and cortical auditory evoked potentials. Results: A comparison of the mean signal-to-noise ratio 50% between pre- and post-training indicated that signal-to-noise ratio 50% score decreased after training sessions. WIN training reduced the latency in N1 and P2 waves in the Fz electrode and the N1 wave in the Pz electrode and increased the amplitude of the waves in the Fz and Pz electrodes. The observed data suggest that all participants’ performance improved on word identification in noise and some electrophysiological parameters. Cortical auditory evoked potentials components changes did not correlate with the WIN scores. Conclusion: The Persian version of the WIN training improved speech perception ability in the presence of competitive noise in children with unilateral hearing loss. Therefore, this software solution can partially solve speech comprehension problems with noise in these children. Keywords: Unilateral hearing loss; word in noise training; children; listening in noise

Targeted newborn hearing screening in the neonatal intensive care unit of Assiut University Hospital

BackgroundEarly detection of congenital hearing loss (HL) and appropriate intervention is essential to minimize its dramatic impact. Target-based newborn hearing screening (TNHS) was initially targeted high-risk register (HRR) newborn. The advance techniques in neonatology in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) lead to decrease mortality among low birth weight and preterm infants, but significant morbidities including hearing loss persist. In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of hearing loss and the percentage of different risk factors among the HRR neonates admitted to NICU at Assiut University Hospital.ResultsThe prevalence of hearing loss among the study group is 1%. The most common risk factor present between the study group was prematurity associated with the low birth weight (57%). The combination of preterm and low birth weight has statistically significant effect on hearing loss (p < 0.006). There was statistically significant difference in the pass rate of the transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) frequencies included in the screening program. The highest pass rate 91% and 85% was at 4 KH and 3 KH, respectively, while the least pass rate was at 1 KH (11.5%).ConclusionTEOAE screener is safe, noninvasive, and doesn’t require sedation and cost-effective method in the newborn hearing screening at NICU. For HRR, it is better to do screening before hospital discharge so allowing enough time for comorbidities of the neonate to improve. Neonatal hearing screening in high-risk neonates in NICU allows early identification of children with hearing loss with early intervention.

Socialization Program for Prevention and Early Detection of Congenital Hearing Loss in the Families of Deaf School children

Objective: socializing hearing loss examination and early detection to patients and their families in deaftype B schools. Methods: A community service program in the form of socialization was performed to thefamily of patients with hearing loss in deaf school type B, Surabaya, Indonesia. Pretest and posttest wereconducted to determine the initial understanding and post socialization knowledge of these people. We alsoasked the participants to fill on a questionnaire regarding the possible causes of the hearing loss (familyhistory, drug use, history of disease, and history of head trauma). Results: Based on the summary of pretestand posttest from the participants, an increase in participants’ knowledge of hearing lost was found. Thisactivity was attended by 90 family members of 37 patients with hearing loss. Pre and post test results. Theresults of the questionnaire showed that 94.59% of the patients came from Javanese ethnicity. As many as21.62% of patients had a family history of hearing loss, and even 2 patients had a father, mother, and siblingwith hearing loss. A total of 18.92% had a history of using ototoxic drugs, 16.22% had a history of maternalRubella infection during pregnancy, and 2.7% had a history of head trauma. Conclusion: Socializationprogram was effective to increase knowledge of congenital hearing loss for family of deaf schoolchildren.The result of the questionnaire showed that deaf schoolchildren had several risk factors for the occurrenceof hearing loss. Similar program can be performed in communities in other areas to increase prevention andearly detection of hearing loss in Indonesia.

Population Outcomes of Three Approaches to Detection of Congenital Hearing Loss.

Universal newborn hearing screening was implemented worldwide largely on modeled, not measured, long-term benefits. Comparative quantification of population benefits would justify its high cost. Natural experiment comparing 3 population approaches to detecting bilateral congenital hearing loss (>25 dB, better ear) in Australian states with similar demographics and services: (1) universal newborn hearing screening, New South Wales 2003-2005, n = 69; (2) Risk factor screening (neonatal intensive care screening + universal risk factor referral), Victoria 2003-2005, n = 65; and (3) largely opportunistic detection, Victoria 1991-1993, n = 86. Children in (1) and (2) were followed at age 5 to 6 years and in (3) at 7 to 8 years. Outcomes were compared between states using adjusted linear regression. Children were diagnosed younger with universal than risk factor screening (adjusted mean difference -8.0 months, 95% confidence interval -12.3 to -3.7). For children without intellectual disability, moving from opportunistic to risk factor to universal screening incrementally improved age of diagnosis (22.5 vs 16.2 vs 8.1 months, P < .001), receptive (81.8 vs 83.0 vs 88.9, P = .05) and expressive (74.9 vs 80.7 vs 89.3, P < .001) language and receptive vocabulary (79.4 vs 83.8 vs 91.5, P < .001); these nonetheless remained well short of cognition (mean 103.4, SD 15.2). Behavior and health-related quality of life were unaffected. With new randomized trials unlikely, this may represent the most definitive population-based evidence supporting universal newborn hearing screening. Although outperforming risk factor screening, school entry language still lagged cognitive abilities by nearly a SD. Prompt intervention and efficacy research are needed for children to reach their potential.

Delayed detection of congenital hearing loss.

Delayed detection of congenital hearing loss.

Delayed detection of congenital hearing loss.

Delayed detection of congenital hearing loss.

Delayed detection of congenital hearing loss in high risk infants.

To examine the methods used to investigate children at high risk of congenital hearing impairment, and to see whether the introduction of evoked response audiometry has reduced the mean age at which hearing loss is identified. Clinicians who notified children to the national congenital rubella surveillance programme were asked retrospectively to complete a questionnaire examining the methods used to identify hearing impairment and the age at testing in two consecutive five year cohorts. The presence or absence of hearing loss was confirmed by obtaining the results of audiometric evaluations and, whenever possible, a recent pure tone audiogram. The United Kingdom. Children notified to the national congenital rubella surveillance programme and born in 1978-87 in whom IgM specific for rubella was detected shortly after birth. The age at which hearing loss was identified and the degree of loss in decibels at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz measured by pure tone audiometry. 61 (52%) Of 117 children born in 1978-82 had a hearing impairment of 40 dB or greater in both ears. The mean loss was 93 dB. In the following five years 75 (47%) of 159 children had impaired hearing, their mean loss being 96 dB. The age at which the hearing loss was confirmed decreased from 11.6 to 9.8 months as a result of earlier auditory evoked response testing. Nevertheless, only eight (13%) of the children with hearing impairment born in 1978-82 and 16 (21%) of those born in 1983-7 had these tests performed in the first six months of life. Unacceptable delays in identifying hearing loss occurred in this high risk group because of failure to arrange auditory evoked response testing in early infancy. Evoked response audiometry is sensitive and specific and should be undertaken within the first few months of life for all infants known to be at risk of sensorineural hearing loss.

The effectiveness of two infant hearing screening programmes in New Zealand.

Early detection of congenital hearing loss is vital. A neonatal hearing screening programme and a 9 month at risk hearing screening programme are analysed. Neither contributed significantly to the detection of deaf infants, though 9 month at risk screening can be worthwhile if well administered. Age of detection data for deaf preschoolers in New Zealand are presented.