Reasons hearing loss was detected in children more than 6 months after birth

Abstract

Screening of newborn infants for hearing loss was started on a trial basis in Japan in 1997, but not all newborns were screened, meaning that many children with hearing loss are diagnosed more than 6 months after birth. To improve this situation we investigated why many children were diagnosed more than 6 months after birth. We reviewed the records of 31 patients with hearing loss (15 males, 16 females) at Tokyo University Hospital born in 1997-2003 who did not undergo newborn screening. In 80% of them the hearing loss was detected more than 18 months after birth. The first reason was that doctors told parents there was no problem, and to wait and see when they grow up. The second reason was nurses told parents there was no problem. If all the newborn underwent screening, fewer children would be diagnosed later. The results show that education of doctors and nurses in regard to children with hearing loss is most important.