Investments and results of a universal newborn hearing screening with the Algo (R) portable.

Background: Congenital hearing disorder, which has an occurrence of 1 in 10 00 newborn babies, is a health problem that should be taken seriously. Once it has been discovered too late, it leads to lifelong language, intellectu al, emotional and social problems. The aim of this project was the critical evaluation of a universal, ABR-based newborn hearing screening, looking at the specificity and the success of the method used as well as the organisa tional requirements and costs involved with this method. Methods: From Augu st 1999 until March 2000, 464 newborn babies, born at the University Hospit al Eppendorf in Hamburg, were examined with the Algo((R)) portable. Another 31 children, all younger than 6 months, were also examined with the Algo(( R)) portable, because of suspected hearing loss. When a child got a refer t wice by the Algo((R)) portable, the child was examined again, using the con ventional ERA-machine (Evoselect) to confirm the suspected hearing loss and to assess its grade. Results: 98% of the newborns at our hospital were exa mined. Up to now, out of 13 conspicuous children, the majority of which bel onged to the risk group, 6 have been identified as unambiguously bilateral and 2 as unilateral hard of hearing. After an introductory period of two mo nths, the average costs per examination could be set at 38,65 DM and app. 3 200 DM per bilateral hearing loss discovered. Conclusion: A Universal Newbo rn Hearing Screening is necessary and can be executed with calculable effor t with concern to personnel, time and finance.