Age of identification of hearing impairment in Mumbai--a trend analysis

Abstract

Implementation of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) has led to lowering the age of identification of congenital hearing loss in children. In the absence of UNHS in Mumbai (India), it is pertinent to establish a data base on the age of identification of permanent hearing loss in children to facilitate affirmative action.

Objective: To study the trend in age of identification (AOI) of hearing impairment in children studying in special schools.

Methods: This retrospective study was a survey conducted on a convenient sample. The authentic data about date of birth and age of identification (AOI) of 510 children were collected through parental interview, and scrutiny of documents like birth certificates, first audiological report maintained in special schools/institutes/hospitals.

Results: Time series analysis of the data concluded that from 1989 to 2008, AOI has reduced by 9.59 months. AOI has not reached one year even by 2008 and is much below the target of three months of age as per the recommendation of Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (2007).

Conclusion: In absence of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) in Mumbai (India) the present efforts do not seem to be enough in lowering the age of identification of hearing loss and policy decision is warranted.