Hearing Screening Across Lifespan

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

By what year is it projected that nearly 2.5 billion people will be living with some degree of hearing loss?

2050

What percentage of those who could benefit from a hearing aid actually access or use one?

17%

What is recommended to ensure people with hearing loss or ear diseases receive the care and rehabilitation services they need?

Integrated people-centred ear and hearing care (IPC-EHC) within national health systems

Why is early intervention critical in people with hearing loss?

Delays have a negative impact on language development, communication, social well-being and cognition Signup and view all the answers

Why does hearing loss commonly remain undetected?

Because it is invisible Signup and view all the answers

What is the current number of people living with moderate or higher grades of hearing loss who are most likely to benefit from hearing rehabilitation services?

430 million Signup and view all the answers

What is the focus of the H.E.A.R.I.N.G. interventions?

Ensuring people with hearing loss or ear diseases receive the care and rehabilitation services they need Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of screening across the lifespan?

To detect and intervene early in hearing loss or ear diseases Signup and view all the answers

What is screening coverage closely associated with?

average living standards and economic well-being Signup and view all the answers

What are the common challenges faced by low- and middle-income countries in implementing NHS?

lack of relevant policies, human resources, equipment, and financial resources Signup and view all the answers

What principles underpin the JCIH recommendations for UNHS?

the principles of the position statement of the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) Signup and view all the answers

What factors should be considered when developing a screening protocol for NHS?

nature and severity of hearing loss, screening tools, legislative support, cultural diversity, resources, and cost value Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended timing for newborn hearing screening according to the JCIH?

within the first month of life Signup and view all the answers

What is the '1-3-6' principle in newborn hearing screening?

Not specified in the provided content Signup and view all the answers

Why is there variation in how NHS is implemented worldwide?

Each country must develop its screening protocol based on several factors Signup and view all the answers

What is a major challenge in low- and middle-income countries apart from lack of resources?

low awareness about hearing loss and its associated stigma Signup and view all the answers

Which groups are most likely at risk of hearing loss?

Newborns and infants, children, older people, and those exposed to noise, ototoxic chemicals, and ototoxic medicines Signup and view all the answers

What is a serious obstacle to a child's development, education, and social integration?

Unaddressed hearing loss, including congenital hearing loss Signup and view all the answers

What is the key mitigating factor in the impact of unaddressed hearing loss?

The age at which intervention is initiated Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of early identification and intervention in newborns with hearing loss?

Improved language development and cognitive outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the estimated percentage of the world's population fully or nearly fully covered by newborn hearing screening programmes?

Nearly one third Signup and view all the answers

What is the financial benefit of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS)?

Cost-effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of successful newborn hearing screening programmes?

Reducing the age of diagnosis and intervention, and improved language and cognitive development Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to screen for hearing loss at different stages across the life course?

To identify and address hearing loss early, preventing obstacles to development, education, and social integration Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of identifying hearing loss in children before the age of 6 months?

Language development on par with hearing peers by the age of 5 years Signup and view all the answers

What makes early identification and intervention in newborns possible?

Newborn hearing screening (NHS) Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate goal of newborn hearing screening programs?

To diagnose hearing loss in infants at the earliest possible stage and to enroll them in timely intervention. Signup and view all the answers

By what age should infants have an appropriate audiologic evaluation to confirm their hearing status?

3 months Signup and view all the answers

What should happen immediately after a diagnosis of hearing loss?

The infant and family should have immediate access to early intervention services. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended approach to be adopted by the NHS programme?

A family-centred approach Signup and view all the answers

What should interventions, including provision of hearing technology and rehabilitation services, reflect?

The family's preferences and goals for their child Signup and view all the answers

What should be routinely monitored in infants and children, regardless of the outcome of their newborn hearing screening?

Hearing, cognitive development, communication, attainment of educational milestones, general health and well-being Signup and view all the answers

Why should the NHS programme be integrated with, or linked to, existing health-care, educational or social systems?

To achieve the 1-3-6 timeline and provide comprehensive support to infants and families Signup and view all the answers

What should be documented and reported by the NHS programme?

Procedures and outcomes Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of the NHS programmes in areas where access to healthcare is limited?

To remedy the lack of access to healthcare over time Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of Hearing Screening across the Lifespan

By 2050, nearly 2.5 billion people will be living with some degree of hearing loss, with at least 700 million requiring rehabilitation services (WHO report, 2022)
Currently, 430 million people have moderate or higher grades of hearing loss, but only 17% of those who could benefit from a hearing aid actually access or use one
Integrated people-centred ear and hearing care (IPC-EHC) is recommended within national health systems, with a set of H.E.A.R.I.N.G. interventions to ensure people with hearing loss receive necessary care and rehabilitation services
Early intervention is critical for successful rehabilitation outcomes in people with hearing loss, as delays have a negative impact on language development, communication, social well-being, and cognition

Hearing Screening across the Lifespan

Hearing loss is invisible, so special measures are necessary to screen for hearing loss at different stages across the life course
Those most likely at risk include:
- Newborns and infants
- Children, especially in pre-school and school settings
- Older people
- Those exposed to noise, ototoxic chemicals, and ototoxic medicines

Hearing Screening in Newborns and Infants

Need and Rationale

Unaddressed hearing loss, including congenital hearing loss, is a serious obstacle to a child's development, education, and social integration
The impact of unaddressed hearing loss extends beyond adverse speech and language outcomes, especially in low- and middle-income countries
A key mitigating factor is the age at which intervention (amplification or enrolment in educational programmes) is initiated
Early identification and intervention in newborns is possible through newborn hearing screening (NHS)
Research shows that children whose hearing loss is identified at an early stage and who receive early intervention have better outcomes than those with later detection and treatment
Children who are born deaf or acquire hearing loss very early in life and who receive appropriate interventions within 6 months of age are on par with their hearing peers in terms of language development by 5 years of age

Current Status and Practices

Successful newborn hearing screening programmes have been implemented in several countries using various screening methods, protocols, and linkages to existing health care, social, and educational systems
Estimated one-third of the world's population, mainly in high-income regions, is fully or nearly fully covered by newborn hearing screening programmes
The degree of implementation and coverage varies substantially across the world, with challenges faced in low- and middle-income countries due to a lack of relevant policies, human resources, equipment, and financial resources
Low awareness about hearing loss and its associated stigma, as well as variation in how NHS is implemented worldwide, are additional challenges

Guiding Principles

The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) recommends that newborn hearing screening, where practicable, should be based on the "1-3-6" principle
All infants should undergo hearing screening within the first month of life, and those who require diagnostic testing should have appropriate audiologic evaluation by no later than 3 months of age
Once hearing loss is diagnosed, the infant and family should have immediate access to early intervention services, which should begin as soon as possible after diagnosis, and no later than 6 months of age

Target Group and Aims

Newborn hearing screening should be universal, and all infants should be covered and assessed to identify hearing loss
However, in countries where resource limitations do not allow for universal screening, countries may choose to start a screening programme using selective (or targeted) screening
The aim of any hearing screening programme is to diagnose hearing loss in infants at the earliest possible stage and to enrol them in timely intervention

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the importance of hearing screening across different age groups, from newborns to older adults, and the guiding principles and practices involved.