Newborn hearing screening in Hong Kong.
OBJECTIVE
To review studies on newborn hearing screening in Hong Kong and the current evidence on the cost-effectiveness of universal newborn hearing screening programmes and to determine their value and the best model for such a programme in Hong Kong.


METHODS
Medline literature search (1985-2004), local reports and abstracts available to the author.


METHODS
Literature and data on newborn hearing screening strategies, screening devices, cost-effectiveness study of universal newborn hearing screening programmes.


METHODS
Relevant information and data were reviewed by the author.


RESULTS
A universal newborn hearing screening programme with a high coverage rate is essential to enable early diagnosis and intervention before 6 months of age. This ensures good language and cognitive outcomes in hearing impaired children. A cost-effective universal newborn hearing screening programme should be hospital-based to achieve a high coverage rate, use modern screening devices with high sensitivity and specificity that enable early diagnosis, and be acceptable to parents.


CONCLUSIONS
Increasing evidence supports the cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits of universal newborn hearing screening programmes. The medical community in Hong Kong should work towards the development and implementation of a well-coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary, cost-effective, and sustainable territory-wide universal newborn hearing screening programme coupled with interventions for the next generation of hearing impaired children.
Lam
B C C
BC
Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong. lamccb@ha.org.hk
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000191:economics*; D010865:Pilot Projects