Ms Alison Collins1, Dr Rachael Beswick2, Associate Professor Carlie Driscoll1, Associate Professor Joseph Kei1
1University Of Queensland, Sr Lucia, Australia, 2Children’s Health Queensland, Healthy Hearing Program, Nundah, 4012
Background/Objectives: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) aims to identify infants born with a permanent hearing loss. However, many are also diagnosed with a conductive hearing loss (CHL) and are at subsequent risk for developmental delays. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of CHL and determine which clinical characteristics collected at birth predicted CHL within UNHS.
Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on all infants born between 01/01/2007 and 31/12/2018. During this period, 731,234 infants were screened, 9,802 were direct referrals, and 1,208 identified with a CHL. Chi squared analysis and logistic regression was conducted to determine CHL prevalence and identify which clinical characteristics predicted CHL.
Results: The prevalence of CHL in referred infants was 12.32%. Following adjustments for collinearity, clinical characteristics that could predict CHL were: bilateral referrals/medical exclusions to screen (Odds ratio, OR 1.89; 95% CI: 1.65 – 2.1), ≥1 risk factor for hearing loss (OR 2.03; 95% CI: 1.76 – 2.34), pre-term birth (OR 1.82; 95% CI: 1.57 – 2.10), male (OR 1.21; 95% CI: 1.07 – 1.37), and Indigenous status: ‘Aboriginal (not Torres Strait Islander)’ (OR 1.27; 95% CI:1.03 – 1.57 and ‘not stated’ (OR 2.95; 95% CI: 2.02 – 4.30).
Conclusion: CHL within UNHS was highly prevalent, with six clinical characteristics that could predict that likelihood of an infant being diagnosed with a CHL. This data could be used to create alternative care pathways for infants with CHL, enabling early and targeted assessments, thereby reducing the risk of developmental delays for these infants.
Biography:
Alison has worked in diagnostic paediatrics for the past 9 years. More recently she has also worked in adult medical and aural rehabilitation. Her primary experience is related to infant diagnostics, paediatrics (general and complex), Indigenous ear health and has led and contributed to research in these fields. Alison is also completing her PhD in the assessment and management of conductive hearing loss in paediatric populations. In the past year, she has also opened her own practice in rural Queensland.