Outcomes of newborn hearing screening at an academic secondary level hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Background The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) issued early hearing detection and intervention guidelines, which has universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) as one of the important goals. Despite established evidence of the importance of UNHS globally, there has been no mandated formalised and standardised implementation as yet in South Africa. Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the outcomes of newborn hearing screening (NHS) in an academic secondary level hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. Methods This was a prospective non-experimental feasibility study over a 3-month period, involving conducting hearing screening of 121 neonates. Audiologists conducted a risk factor assessment, otoscopic examinations and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) screening on each neonate, with follow-up appointments for re-screening and diagnostic audiological assessments for all neonates with refer findings. Data were analysed using STATA intercooled version 11 © , through both descriptive and inferential statistics (Fisher’s exact test), with significance established where p -values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results Of the 121 neonates screened, the majority (75%) were screened in the first 24 h of life. A high refer rate (47%) of the total sample was found on DPOAE screening. No maternal or neonatal risk factors were found to be significantly associated with refer findings. Conclusion Findings contribute towards the existing evidence base that raises implications for successful implementation of NHS programmes in public healthcare in South Africa. Screening protocols need to consider the timing of screening, the measures and procedures adopted in the screening protocols, as well as the follow-up strategies.

Analysis of barriers and facilitators to early hearing detection and intervention in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

“…Current studies and guidelines recommend de-specialisation of hearing screening services to other personnel who will be trained and will have to adhere to regulated standards (Khoza-Shangase et al, 2017 ; Khoza-Shangase & Kanji, 2021 ). Equipment that is easy to use and sensitive, creates opportunities to use non-professionals as screeners, to reach contexts where audiologists are not available (Bezuidenhout, Khoza-Shangase, De Maayer, & Strehlau, 2021 ; Khoza-Shangase & Kanji, 2021 ).…”

“…It is therefore important to gather information about parental or caregiver perspectives on NHS to ensure appropriate advocacy and interventions (Jatto, Ogunkeyede, Adeyemo, Adeagbo, & Saiki, 2018 ). Furthermore, NHS programmes are not mandatory in South Africa (Bezuidenhout et al, 2021 ), thus necessitating parents being aware and knowledgeable of the risk factors for infant hearing loss (Govender & Khan, 2017 ).…”

“…ENT, ear, nose and throat; DoH, Department of Health; DoE, Department of Education.http://www.sajcd.org.zaShangase & Kanji, 2021). Equipment that is easy to use and sensitive, creates opportunities to use non-professionals as screeners, to reach contexts where audiologists are not available(Bezuidenhout, Khoza-Shangase, De Maayer, & Strehlau, 2021;Khoza-Shangase & Kanji, 2021).…”

Investigating Hearing Function in Pediatric Patients with Renal Dysfunction: In Pursuit of Preventive Audiology Outcomes

“…Careful and comprehensive hearing function monitoring protocols need to be implemented to ensure a more accurate description and categorization of the type, degree, onset and development of the hearing loss, as well as the influencing factors-as explored in the current study. South African researchers argue for such protocols within the South African context as preventive measures where contextual challenges require them [25][26][27][28]. Secondly, the fact that some of the participants presented with conductive or mixed hearing loss (30.6%); which is reversible in nature, highlights the importance of multidisciplinary team work where otorhinolaryngologists could form part of the team to ensure that the middle ear pathology is treated so that it does not progress and cause more permanent damage.…”

Magnitude and Factors Associated with Refer Results of Newborn Hearing Screening at Academic Tertiary Level Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

“…Most studies indicated rescreening, and increasing age at initial screening has reduced the refer rate as well as high false positive rate [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. e overall refer rates of NHS programs in developing and developed countries vary considerably.…”