Childhood hearing loss screening programs need to improve how they collect data and measure outcomes to increase quality, such as improving follow-up rates, reports a new Karolinska Institutet thesis.
One in 500 babies has a permanent hearing loss, which can affect their spoken language development. Spoken language sets the stage for reading, social communication and education.
“A delay in language development can have lifelong consequences, so it’s vital that babies and children with hearing loss receive intervention as early as possible,” says Allison Mackey, who recently completed his doctoral thesis under the supervision of Inger Uhlén in the Department. of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet.
Lack of data collection
The thesis evaluated, among other things, the performance of children’s hearing screening programs and the strategies used to improve the outcome.
For example, we conducted an international survey of the status of screening programs in both high- and middle-income countries in Europe as part of a large multicenter project. It showed that most high-income countries perform newborn hearing screening for all babies, but only a few middle-income countries had similar programs. We also found that in most countries no data were available on screening program outcomes.”
Allison Mackey, Karolinska Institutet
Important to improve follow-ups
The thesis also shows that loss to follow-up is an area of particular concern.
“In many programs around the world, a high percentage of babies who don’t pass the screening don’t come back for a follow-up assessment,” says Allison Mackey. “This could be due to a number of factors, but we could see, for example, the experience and knowledge of staff involved in the screening program having an impact on the statistics.”
The passing criteria used for selection are important determinants for the sensitivity of the program. More stringent criteria will result in more infants with hearing loss being detected in the screening program.
“Although, unfortunately, the lack of data in many programs makes it difficult to assess the quality of screening programs,” says Allison Mackey. “If decision makers want to address issues such as loss to follow-up, they first need to know the status quo. Therefore, the first step in improving a screening program is establishing processes for data collection and regular monitoring and follow-up. evaluate results.”
Allison Mackey will defend her thesis on October 14.