Universal newborn hearing screening: Program evaluation in a community-based hospital setting

Hearing loss is the most prevalent congenital birth defect; the consequences of undetected hearing loss include permanent delays in speech-language development and academic achievement. Early detection and intervention programs can mitigate these delays. Subsequently, Universal Newborn Hearing Screening rapidly is becoming the national standard of care.; This study investigated the efficacy of one hospital's program for identifying newborns with hearing loss. Nationally established benchmarks and parental evaluation of education regarding screening results and speech-language milestones were used to determine efficacy. Study results will be used to recommend program modifications.; Data were collected using a retrospective data analysis and a parent questionnaire. The data indicated that although the program is struggling to meet the national monthly benchmarks, it is meeting those goals when evaluated over time. The program is struggling to educate parents about language development and milestones, but is very successful in educating parents about the hearing-screening program.