Newborn and infant hearing screening for early detection of hearing loss in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: Early detection of hearing loss and subsequent intervention leads to better speech, language and educational outcomes giving way to improved social economic prospects in adult life. This can be achieved through establishing newborn and infant hearing screening programs.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hearing loss in newborns and infants in Nairobi, Kenya.

Methods: A cross-sectional pilot study was conducted at the National hospital and at a sub county hospital immunization clinic. A total of 9,963 babies aged 0-3 years, were enrolled in the hearing screening program through convenient sampling over a period of nine months. A case history was administered followed by Distortion Product Oto-acoustic emissions (DPOAEs) and automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) hearing screening.

Results: The screening coverage rate was 98.6% (9963/10,104). The referral rate for the initial screen was 3.6% (356/ 9,963), the return rate for follow-up rescreening was 72% (258 babies out of 356) with a lost to follow-up rate of 28% (98/356). The referral rate of the second screen was 10% (26/258). All the 26 babies referred from the second screen returned for diagnostic hearing evaluation and were confirmed with hearing loss, yielding a prevalence of 3/1000.

Conclusions: Establishing universal newborn and infant hearing screening programs is essential for early detection and intervention for hearing loss. Data management and efficient follow-up systems are an integral part of achieving diagnostic confirmation of hearing loss and early intervention.