Screening for hearing loss versus parental concern regarding hearing problems: Subsequent referral and treatment for otitis media in the Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE
The present study investigates whether general practitioner (GP) consultation initiated by failing the population hearing screening at age nine months or GP consultation because of parental concern over ear/hearing problems was more important in deciding on referral and/or surgical treatment of otitis media (OM).


METHODS
A questionnaire covering the history between birth and 21 months of age was used to obtain information on referral after failing the hearing screening, GP consultations for ear/hearing problems, and subsequent referral to a specialist and possible surgical treatment at an ENT department.


METHODS
The province of Limburg, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Healthy infants invited for the hearing screening at age nine months, who responded in an earlier study called PEPPER (Persistent Ear Problems, Providing Evidence for Referral, response rate 58%).


METHODS
The odds of a child being surgically treated for OM.


RESULTS
The response rate for the present questionnaire was 72%. Of all children tested, 3.9% failed the hearing screening and were referred to their GP. Of all 2619 children in this study, 18.6% visited their GP with ear/hearing problems. Children failing the hearing screening without GP consultation for ear/hearing problems were significantly more often treated surgically for OM than children passing the hearing screening but with GP consultation for ear/hearing problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Objectified hearing loss, i.e. failing the hearing screening, was important in the decision for surgical treatment in infants in the Netherlands.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Albert Schweitzer Hospital, Zwijndrecht, The Netherlands. w.lok@asz.nl
Willeke
W
Lok
Lucien J C
LJ
Anteunis
Michelene N
MN
Chenault
Cor
C
Meesters
Mark P
MP
Haggard
D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009426:Netherlands; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires