J Agric Med Community Health.  2018 Sep;43(3):172-179. 10.5393/JAMCH.2018.43.3.172.

Comparison of Newborn Hearing Screening Tests Depending on the Examiners in a General Hospital in a City

• Chung YS

• KMID: 2436362
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5393/JAMCH.2018.43.3.172

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To review the status of newborn hearing screening (NHS) and to investigate the effect of the examiners on NHS tests to help the quality control of NHS at a general hospital in a city.
METHODS
The charts of newborns from January 2015 to March 2016 and from August 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the results of tests performed by several examiners(group 1) with those performed by one audiologist (group 2) using the same automated auditory brainstem response test.
RESULTS
The screening rate and referral rate were not significantly different between group 1 and group 2. The confirmatory test rate was higher in the group 2, but it was not significant. In group 1, the number of tests performed 3 or more times in one ear at one time was significantly higher. The number of tests performed in only one ear at one time was higher in group 2. The screening rate within one month after birth was 64.21%, referral rate was 7.32%, confirmatory test rate within 3 months after birth was 21.74%, and the prevalence of hearing loss was 1.46%.
CONCLUSIONS
There was no significant difference of results depending on the examiners. In order to make proper screening test, it is necessary to periodically educate the examiner and to instruct the examiner by the supervisor doctors.

Keyword

Newborn; Hearing loss; Automated auditory brainstem response

MeSH Terms

Ear
Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem
Hearing Loss
Hearing*
Hospitals, General*
Humans
Infant, Newborn*
Mass Screening*
Parturition
Prevalence
Quality Control
Referral and Consultation
Retrospective Studies