A multisite study to examine the efficacy of the otoacoustic emission/automated auditory brainstem response newborn hearing screening protocol: recommendations for policy, practice, and research.
OBJECTIVE
This article examines whether changes in hearing screening practices are warranted based on the results of the recent series of studies by J. L. Johnson, K. R. White, J. E. Widen, J. S. Gravel, B. R. Vohr, M. James, T. Kennalley, A. B. Maxon, L. Spivak, M. Sullivan-Mahoney, Y. Weirather, and S. Meyer (Johnson, White, Widen, Gravel, James, et al., 2005; Johnson, White, Widen, Gravel, Vohr, et al., 2005; White et al., 2005; Widen et al., 2005) that found a significant number of infants who passed an automated auditory brainstem response (A-ABR) screening after failing an initial otoacoustic emission (OAE) screening later were found to have permanent hearing loss in one or both ears.


METHODS
Similar to the approach used by F. H. Bess and J. Paradise (1994), this article addresses the public health tenets that need to be in place before screening programs, or in this case, a change in screening practice (use of a 2-step screening protocol) can be justified.


RESULTS
There are no data to suggest that a 2-step OAE/A-ABR screening protocol should be avoided.


CONCLUSIONS
Research is needed before any change in public policy and practice surrounding current early hearing detection and intervention programs could be supported.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA. gravel@email.chop.edu
Judith S
JS
Gravel
Karl R
KR
White
Jean L
JL
Johnson
Judith E
JE
Widen
Betty R
BR
Vohr
Michele
M
James
Teresa
T
Kennalley
Antonia B
AB
Maxon
Lynn
L
Spivak
Maureen
M
Sullivan-Mahoney
Yusnita
Y
Weirather
Sally
S
Meyer
D012048:Correction of Hearing Impairment; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology