2024 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference

March 17-19, 2024 • Denver, CO

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3/19/2024 | 3:30 PM - 3:55 PM | Timely Detection of Late-Onset Hearing Loss in Taiwan: Risk Factor Follow-up | Mineral Hall D/E

Timely Detection of Late-Onset Hearing Loss in Taiwan: Risk Factor Follow-up

Session Evaluation

Late-onset hearing loss (LOHL), defined by Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH), occurs after three months of age in children passing Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). UNHS has been implemented in Taiwan since 2012, with a 98.7% screening rate in 2022. However, some children who initially passed UNHS may have undetected hearing loss (HL) or develop LOHL. To detect these children, follow-ups of risk factor (RF) for HL, Preschool Hearing Screening (PHS), and parental education on red flags are crucial. In 2021, even in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei, PHS exhibited a low screening rate of 59.3% with a notably high referral rate of 10.3%. Because PHS is not mandatory throughout Taiwan, timely follow-ups for children with RF who pass UNHS become pivotal in early LOHL identification. This study analyzed risk factors among children at the Children’s Hearing Foundation, which provides auditory-verbal intervention. Among the 645 children enrolled from 2020 to 2023, 115 (17.8%) passed UNHS. Of 115, 103 (89.6%) had LOHL (mean age of identification: 39.2 months), suggesting 12 children may have had congenital HL undetected by UNHS. Among the 103 children, only 5% present no RF, while 60% had two or more RF. Prevalent RF included “Caregiver’s concern regarding hearing, speech, language, or developmental delay” (67.0%), “Family history or genetic factors” (51.5%), “Hyperbilirubinemia requiring exchange transfusion” (31.1%), and “Otitis media with effusion for greater than three months” (8.7%). Notably, caregivers’ concerns should not be disregarded, as they potentially indicate children’s early hearing issues. Presently, the Taiwanese medical system puts little emphasis on post-UNHS follow-ups. Passing UNHS may inadvertently lead parents to assume their child’s hearing will remain normal, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and evaluation. These findings underscore the necessity for on-going follow-ups for children with RF at 24-30 months for timely identification, aligning with JCIH recommendations.

The participant will be able to describe the significance of Preschool Hearing Screening and risk factor assessments in the early detection of late-onset hearing loss in Taiwanese children.
The participant will be able to recognize the challenges posed by limited availability of PHS and understand the importance of timely follow-ups for children with risk factors who pass Universal Newborn Hearing Screening.
The participant will be able to identify prevalent risk factors associated with late-onset hearing loss, enabling healthcare professionals to make informed decisions regarding early intervention strategies.

Presentation:
3478265_16286Yi-ChihChan.pdf

3478265_16286Yi-pingChang.pdf

Handouts:
Handout is not Available

Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference

Presenters/Authors

Yi-Chih Chan (Author), Children's Hearing Foundation, yichihchan@chfn.org.tw;
Yi-Chih Chan received his Ph.D. in Child Language from the University of Kansas (KU), Lawrence, KS, U.S., in 2014. He is currently a research fellow of Speech and Hearing Science Research Institute at Children’s Hearing Foundation.

ASHA DISCLOSURE:

Financial -

Nonfinancial -