RESULTS OF NEWBORN HEARING SCREENING: A COMMUNITY-BASED INVESTIGATION

Rajeev Ranjan*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hearing impairment refers to varied degrees of hearing loss, from hard-of-hearing to complete deafness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that of 1000 examined newborns, 1.7% had a hearing impairment in 2019. According to projections, the prevalence of inborn hearing loss ranges from 1.2–5.7/1000 neonates, and it is significantly higher in high-risk neonates. The purpose of this study is to investigate the outcomes of newborn hearing screening within a community-based framework. The aim is to identify the prevalence of hearing impairment and the effectiveness of early detection strategies in the community sector. Method: We used a longitudinal research design. Conducted over a 12-month period in a primary health center in Kakori, Lucknow, the research involved screening 505 newborns using otoacoustic emissions (OAE) tests. Results and discussion: The results showed an initial referral rate of 15.44%, with 10.49% of referrals for both ears, 2.17% for the right ear, and 2.77 percent for the left ear. These referrals were for further audiological evaluation, and 78 infants, or 15.44% of those screened, had confirmed hearing loss. Follow-up assessments revealed significant delays in diagnosis and intervention among families lacking access to resources. The findings underscore the importance of community engagement and tailored educational programs to improve screening follow-up and support systems. Summary and Conclusion: This investigation highlights the need for ongoing advocacy and resource allocation to enhance early hearing detection and intervention services in community settings, ultimately aiming to optimize developmental outcomes for affected infants.

Keywords: hearing, screening, newborn, OAE, AABR, infant, community, and impairment.