Screening and prevention of hearing loss in children.
Congenital hearing loss is the most common neurosensory handicap in neonates. Recently, technology has become available that has allowed states to implement universal screening programs at a relatively low cost and with minimal expertise needed for hospital personnel to operate the screening machines. In successful programs, the age of diagnosis has been reduced from 2(1/2) years to 3 to 6 months. Children diagnosed with hearing loss before speech develops have been shown to have better speech and language outcomes than those who are diagnosed later. Strategies for screening and early intervention are discussed, as well as the causes, prevention, and treatment of more common forms of childhood hearing loss.
Elden
Lisa M
LM
Division of Otolaryngology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA. elden@email.chop.edu
Potsic
William P
WP
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening