Dr Zeffie Poulakis4, Dr Rachael Beswick2
1Healthy Hearing, Brisbane, Australia, 2Department Health, Brisbane, Australia, 3University Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, 4Royal Children's Hopsital, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
TBC
In 2022, a systematic literature review commissioned by the Australasian Newborn Hearing Screening Committee found that the evidence was inconclusive on whether population-based hearing screening beyond the newborn period improves outcomes, or is cost effective.
Abstract
Subsequently, two workshops engaging experts around developing a core set of principles for detection of hearing loss beyond the newborn period indicated an overall consensus could not be reached.
Despite the lack of evidence or consensus, Queensland’s Community Hearing Screening partnership model, which aims to detect hearing loss beyond the newborn period, is expanding. Furthermore, national and international bodies are advocating for population hearing screening in early childhood.
Given that there is an absence of expert consensus about population-based hearing screening beyond the newborn period, and given the lack of empirical evidence for effectiveness, this presentation will discuss:
– Should these screening services not be offered at all?
– If offered, what should be expected of those services?
– Designing a high-quality system for detecting hearing loss beyond the newborn period and how does this look?
– How to address the empirical gaps?
Discussion of wider application of the gold standard screening principles and frameworks to health programs will also be included in this presentation.