A treatment-focused approach to medical investigations for hearing loss in infants.

This integrative review synthesises two related but distinct fields: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) and Medical Investigation of Childhood Hearing Loss. Both fields involve medical evaluations for permanent hearing loss, yet they differ in their perspectives, timing, and target populations. By integrating these bodies of literature, this review introduces a novel, treatment-focused approach to the medical investigation of permanent prelingual hearing loss. Given that the first two years of life represent a critical period for neural plasticity and brain development, this approach holds significant potential for improving patient outcomes. Additionally, it offers opportunities to enhance clinical efficiency and advance equity in the management of childhood hearing loss.