유소아 난청의 조기 진단과 치료

The goal of this thesis is to emphasize implementation of newborn hearing screening, audiologic assessment and early intervention. Newborn hearing screening alone will not assure early identification or positive outcomes for the development of communication and language. The development of communication and language requires input from a wide variety of professionals and consumers. Screening is only the first step in a comprehensive program, which must also include assessment and intervention. System development, equipment issues, followup procedures, data management and a tracking system are all pertinent factors. The goal of universal newborn hearing screening is to identify infants with hearing loss by 3 months of age and to provide appropriate intervention by 6 months of age then carry on their life with normal hearing persons. Early identification of hearing loss and rapid rehabilitative intervention are the two key elements that will give an infant the best chance to develop normal speech and allow the family members to make appropriate adjustments that will enhance communication in the home and social environment. The importance of early intervention with hearing aid fitting and the consideration of new technologies such as cochlear implantation are emphasized for the quality of life of hearing-impaired children. For the successful accomplishment of above goals, the multidisciplinary advisory board should be developed to help ensure input from relevant groups such as audiology, otolaryngology, pediatrics, nursing, hospital administration members of deaf community, educators of the deaf, parents of deaf children and social services. In conclusion, auditory screening test should be performed routinely for all newborn infants with the national compassionate insights and financial supports. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2001;12:193-202)