Hearing-screening: Comparative examinations and cost analysis with variousdevices

The necessity of screening examinations in newborns today cannot be denied. Up to now, it has only been achieved in a few countries to introduce a gen eral hearing screening for newborns. Methods: We examined 100 newborns (200 ears) at their third day of life. All ears were evaluated with the TEOAE-s creening-device ECHOSCREEN. In addition, we carried out BERA screening exam inations with the ALGO PORTABLE or with the EVOFLASH on 100 of these 200 ea rs. As a reference method, we utilized TEOAE-examinations with the ILO-88 f or all ears. Results: 4.5% of the 200 ears examined with the ECHOSCREEN wer e conspicious due to accumulation of earwax problems. With the ALGO-system, none of the ears was conspicious. Among the 100 ears examined with the EVO FLASH we found negative results with seven ears (4 children). These finding s will be discussed in detail. Furthermore, we analyzed the costs for one-s tep- and two-step-screenings. Costs for a one-step-screening of both ears w ould be DM 14,27 with Echoscreen. DM 44,69 with ALGO, DM 32.19 with Evoflas h for one patient including material and personnel costs. Costs for a two-s tep-screening would be DM 16,28 with Echoscreen and ALGO, DM 15,72 with Ech oscreen and Evoflash, calculated per child on the basis of 812,173 newborn children in the year 1997 in Germany. Conclusion: On the basis of all these results, we recommend a two-step-screening with TEOAE and BERA-devices.