User:Mr. Ibrahem/Universal neonatal hearing screening

Universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS), also known as early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI), are programs that aim to identify, intervene, and follow-up babies and young children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. Without exposure to language in the first years of life, children will have difficult developing language skills. Screening programs result in earlier diagnosis and improved language outcomes.

It uses testing methods, usually otoacoustic emission (OAE) or automatic auditory brainstem response (AABR), to screen newborns. These tests take about 10 to 20 minutes to perform and can be done after the first day of life in those who are at least 34 weeks gestational age. Often the OAE is used initially, followed by the AABR in those in who there are concerns. This may than be followed by diagnostic testing. The goal is generally to screen babies before a month of age and put in place treatment by six months of age. Screening is falsely positive in about 2% of cases.

Universal neonatal hearing screening is mandatory in many developed countries. In the United States universal screening of all newborns was recommended in 1993 by the NIH. Previously the typical age at diagnosis was around 2 to 3 years old. As such, children born with hearing loss historically performed worse educationally, with poorer language skills and social functioning. When diagnosed early; however, outcomes are similar to those with normal hearing. As of 2012, universal screening programs were uncommon in developing countries.