Newborn hearing screening in Hawaii

Hawaii Med J. 1997 Dec;56(12):352-5.

Abstract

Hawaii has been a pioneer and national leader in implementing universal newborn hearing screening. In fact, Hawaii is one of only two states (Rhode Island is the other) which have a statewide newborn hearing screening program in which 95% or more of all newborns are screened. Hawaii is the best example of a truly integrated system of services to provide effective intervention for all infants and toddlers who are identified as having a hearing loss. The success of the newborn hearing screening program is measurable in two ways: 1) all available information indicates that not a single infant with hearing loss has been missed by the screening process and not a single infant has been misdiagnosed as having a hearing loss; and 2) many of the children identified with hearing loss by the newborn hearing screening program have transitioned out of the early intervention program with age-appropriate developmental and communication skills. The success of Hawaii's program is a tribute to the enthusiastic support and collaboration of legislators, pediatricians, hospital staff, and DOH personnel.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Hawaii / epidemiology
  • Hearing Disorders / diagnosis
  • Hearing Disorders / epidemiology
  • Hearing Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Neonatal Screening*