Newborn Hearing Screening Programs : Overview

Implementation of systematic programs for early identification of hearing impairment in the newborn and infant is increas-ing in Canada and worldwide. This article outlines the rationale for these programs, methods of screening, audiologic assess-ment and intervention, program outcomes and the crucial role of physicians. Sources of high-quality, current evidence on key aspects of these programs are identified. There is an emerging, evidence-based consensus that a systematic approach based on universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) and timely, appropriate follow-up services is practicable and will yield sub-stantial net benefit for many affected children and families. Early identification programs lead to physicians being faced with infants under six months of age who already have detailed and accurate audiometry. Important challenges include a system-atic approach to etiologic evaluation of the young infant with permanent hearing impairment and the facilitation of prompt, non-medical interventions. Sommaire Les programmes de dépistage systématique de la surdité chez les enfants et les nouveau-nés gagnent en popularité au Canada et dans le reste du monde. Cet article revoit la logique de ces programmes, les méthodes de dépistage, l’évaluation et les inter-ventions audiologiques, les résultats des programmes et le rôle crucial des médecins. Nous avons identifié des sources fiables sur les aspects clés de ces programmes. Un consensus basé sur des données probantes émerge à l’effet que le dépistage systé