Abstract
The developing countries of the world are still lagging in the implementation of the universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS). In other to eradicate unnecessary earshot impairments via suitable rehabilitation processes, there is need for more studies. Thus, this chapter is channeled to bridge this gap. This study used secondary data by comprehensively reviewing the published researches and other relevant and related works and found that UNHS practices in Malaysia and Nigeria have both differences and similarities. The two countries use AABR and OAE as their protocol, and the newborn hearing screening is not binding on the caregivers in both countries. However, their approaches differ in the area of finance, follow-up intervals, and the years of introduction among others. Nevertheless, there are some challenges impeding the effective implementation of the programme which includes include lack of awareness, death of personnel, inadequate diagnostic centers, among others. Given these findings, this chapter could be said to have practical implications for the stakeholders.
TopBackground: The Comprehensive View Of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening
The reports of the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimate that the total numbers of persons with hearing problems in the world has increased from one hundred and twenty (120) million in 1995 to 278 million in 2005 (Olusanya, Wirz & Luxon, 2008). At global level, about 6 per 1000 Newborns annually experience permanent earshot injury at natal period and at least ninety percent (90%) of them are in emerging states (Olusanya, 2008). For infants, as well, the outright numbers are increasing as the global populace develops. An expected 34 million youngsters right now have incapacitating hearing loss, the vast majority of them are living in Asia Pacific, South Asia, and SubSaharan Africa (WHO, 2018a, 2018b, 2018c; Wilson et al., 2017; Vos et al., 2016). To address this situation, UNHS was initiated to discover early cause of hear impairment in neonates and make necessary interventions and precautions. The origin of newborn hearing screening (NHS) could be traced to the Babbidge Report (1965) in the U.S.A. Babbidge Report (1965) proposed the improvement and employment of the collectively applied techniques for easy classification and assessment of hearing damage (JCIH, 1995). The major milestone in the implementation of UNHS was the establishment of a Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) in 1969. Various recommendations have since been made by the committee to improve on the methods and the modalities to tackling issues relating to UNHS.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR): This is a test of how well the brain and the hearing nerve react to the sound.
World Health Organization: The specialist body United Nations that is accountable for global public health.
World Health Assembly: This is a platform in which the World Health Organization is regulated by its 190 countries and territories and also the highest health policy setting body in the world.
Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS): This is an approach that assists in recognising the inherited deafness and earshot damage in new babies before leaving the hospital.
Meningitis: This is an infection of the brain and spinal cord membranes, commonly triggered by disease.
Congenital Hearing Loss: This is loss of hearing at birth or hearing loss that can occur subsequently but is attributable to hereditary factors or other conditions that have affected the fetus while in the womb.
Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE): This is are Sounds that are produced by the outer hair cells of the cochlea in reaction to a temporary click.
Otoacoustic Emission (OAE): This is sound that is produced from inside the inner ear.
Caregivers: This is a salaried or un-paid family member of an individual who supports them with everyday life activities.
Infection: This is the penetration of the body by infectious micro-organisms or parasites.