Newborn hearing screening in youth health care in the Netherlands: National results of implementation and follow-up

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate whether the quality of the Dutch, community based, universal newborn hearing screening programme is consistent over time. Design: Universal newborn hearing screening data from three cohorts are compared on a number of quality targets concerning the outcome of the screening and the process of the screening in a three stage, community based, hearing screening programme. Study sample: A total of 552 820 children entered the study (189 794 in 2002-2006; 181 574 in 2008, and 181 452 in 2009). Results: Participation in the programme is high from implementation onwards and increases over time for all screen stages to percentages above 99%. Refer rates are within quality targets and they are consistent over time. The screening is completed within 42 days of birth for 91.5% of the children in the last cohort. Of all children screened, 0.29% to 0.30% are referred to a speech and hearing centre. Participation in diagnostic testing is 93.3% to 95.2%. Of all referred children 77% to 85% receive a diagnosis within 122 days of birth. Conclusions: A good quality neonatal hearing screening programme in youth health care has been established in the Netherlands. However, both participation in diagnostic testing after a positive screen result and the timing of the diagnostic testing can still be improved.