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 6 months. 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.