Does Newborn Hearing Screening Improve Developmental Outcomes?

Compared with traditional distraction screening in infants and toddlers, universal otoacoustic screening in newborns was associated with better developmental outcomes at age 3 to 5 years in children with substantial congenital hearing loss.

Before the introduction of universal newborn hearing screening, pediatricians subjectively observed behavioral responses to voice and other sounds (distraction screening) in infants and toddlers, while monitoring emerging speech. To examine whether newborn screening leads to better developmental outcomes, researchers in the Netherlands compared outcomes in children aged 3 to 5 years with permanent hearing impairment who were screened before and after implementation of newborn screening.

Between 2002 and 2006, distraction screening at age 9 months was gradually replaced with newborn screening (before age 2 weeks) by evoked otoacoustic emissions followed by measurement of auditory brainstem responses. Newborn screening was introduced by region…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics