Feasibility of infant hearing screening from a developing country context: the South African experience

Purpose: To explore the feasibility of infant hearing screening from a developing country context. Methods: A descriptive research design was employed, using a combination of surveys, questionnaires and face-to-face semi-structured interviews; as well as conduction of audiological measures such as otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) and automated auditory brainstem responses (AABR) during hearing screening. Participants comprised low-risk neonates, high-risk neonates and primary health care nursing managers. Results: Findings indicated that (1) screening at the Midwife Obstetric Unit 3-day assessment clinic may be more practical; (2) screening at primary health care clinics is not feasible until the identified barriers are addressed and; (3) factors such as ambient noise levels, availability of space for screening and time of discharge influence the practicability and efficiency of screening within a hospital context. Conclusion: There are a number of factors which influence the practicability and efficiency of newborn hearing screening. Each of these factors may vary depending on the level of healthcare setting and may either facilitate or act as barriers toward the implementation of newborn hearing screening in the South African context.