Universal neonatal hearing screening: applications for a developing country in the Asia-Pacific region.
Various centers around the world have implemented and evaluated universal hearing screening programs as a response to the US National Institute of Health policy statement on early identification of hearing loss. Several well conducted clinical trials have been devised to examine and evaluate various factors relevant to establishing a UNHS program. This paper aims to describe some of these factors and analyze their applications and implications for a UNHS program for a developing country in the Asia-Pacific Region. Specifically, three main issues will be discussed: hospital vs community based programs, choice of technology, and choice of screening protocol.
Navarro-Locsin
C Gretchen
CG
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, UP Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines Manila.
D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D003153:Community Health Services; D003906:Developing Countries; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007755:Laboratories, Hospital; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods; D010139:Pacific Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D016730:Program Development