title: Aetiologic diagnosis of hearing loss in children identified through newborn hearing screening testing.
abstract: With the implementation of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) programmes and early diagnosis and treatment of hearing problems, the need has clearly emerged to implement and carry out a systematic and coordinated protocol for the aetiological diagnosis of permanent hearing impairment (PHI). Within the framework of the Italian Ministry of Health project CCM 2013 "Preventing Communication Disorders: a Regional Program for early Identification, Intervention and Care of Hearing Impaired Children", it has been decided to consider the problems relative to aetiological diagnosis of child PHI within UNHS programmes. The specific objective was to apply a shared diagnostic protocol that can identify the cause in at least 70% of cases of PHI. For this part of the project, four main recommendations were identified that can be useful for an efficient aetiological diagnosis in children affected by PHI and that can offer valid suggestions to optimise resources and produce positive changes for third-level audiologic centres.
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, University of Pisa, Italy;
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forli
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, University of Pisa, Italy;
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giuntini
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, University of Pisa, Italy;
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bruschini
authors.affiliation: Operative Unit of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, University of Pisa, Italy, Guest Professor at Division of Ear, Nose and Throat Diseases, Dept. Of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Istituet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Berrettini
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003638:Deafness / Q000175:diagnosis*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening
keywords: Aetiology; Children; Hearing loss; Newborn hearing screening; SWOT analysis