Why screen the hearing of all newborns?

For early intervention to be most effective, diagnosis of hearing loss needs to be made by 3 months and treatment needs to begin by 6 months.

Diagnose and treat an infant's hearing loss before the 6th month, and the child's language quotient at 3 years will be nearly equal to that of a child with normal hearing.

Diagnose and treat after 6 months, and a child's language quotient at 3 years will be about 60% of that of a child with normal hearing (Yoshinaga-Itano, Pediatrics, 11-98).

Why not limit screening to at-risk babies?

When you screen only babies identified as at-risk for hearing loss, you will miss about 50% of infants with hearing deficits (Vohr, J.Pediatrics, 9-98).

How many Iowa hospitals currently screen the hearing of all newborns?

May, 1997 33 Iowa hospitals provided screening; 15,113 (76%) Iowa babies were screened.

By March, 1999 72 Iowa hospitals will provide screening. These hospitals account for about 19,000 (96%) of all Iowa newborns.

Who is carrying out the screening?

Most screening is done by OB nurses; screening is also provided by PNPs, staff audiologists, etc. Local staff members have been enthusiastic about both learning and implementing screening.

How is local staff trained?

Les Schmeltz of AEA 9, Bettendorf, and Lenore Holte, of University Hospital School, currently provide training. Some local AEA audiologists assist with training as well.

What kinds of technology are being used for screening?

Seven hospitals have A-ABR (automated auditory brainstem response) equipment; 33 hospitals have TEOAE (transient evoked oto-acoustic emission) equipment; and 32 hospitals have DPOAE (distortion product oto-acoustic emission) equipment.

Are screening costs reimbursed by Medicaid?

Yes, they are.

How many newborns show hearing loss?

About 4-6% of all Iowa newborns will be referred for further hearing evaluation; about 2-3 per 1,000 will be diagnosed with permanent hearing loss.

Who coordinates early intervention for these infants?

Newborns with hearing concerns are referred to their local AEAs or other early intervention providers.

What data are being kept on this program?

Planning is underway for a statewide database of screening results, refer rates, and information about program effectiveness.

Who can tell you more about universal newborn hearing screening in Iowa?

For more information, please contact:

Lenore Holte, Ph.D.,Audiologist
University Hospital School - 128 HS
University of Iowa
100 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-356-1168
FAX: 319-356-8284

E-mail: lenore-holte@uiowa.edu

See also the AAP Joint Committee on Infant Hearing Position Statement, Pediatrics 45:1, Jan. 1995.