Screening for pre-school and school-age hearing problems: European Consensus Statement

Abstract

Objectives: To formulate consensus statement and policies on structured hearing screening programs in pre-school and school-age children in Europe. This consensus will be brought before the European Union's Member States as a working and effective program with recommendations for adoption.

Methods: A distinguished panel of experts discussed hearing screening of pre-school and school-age children during the 10th Congress of European Federation of Audiology Societies (EFAS), held in Warsaw, Poland, on June 22, 2011. The panel included experts in audiology, otolaryngology, communication disorders, speech language pathology, education and biomedical engineering.

Results: Consensus was reached on thirteen points. Key elements of the consensus, as described herein, are: (1) defining the role of pre-school and school screening programs in the identification and treatment of hearing problems; (2) identifying the target population; (3) recognizing the need for a quality control system in screening programs.

Conclusions: The European Consensus Statement on Hearing Screening of Pre-school and School-age Children will encourage the appropriate authorities of the various countries involved to initiate hearing screening programs of pre-school and school-age children.