Ten Years of Implementation of the National Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Israel

Background: The Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NHSP) began operating nationally in January 2010. The program consists of Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE) tests for all newborns and Auditory Brainstem Response Automated tests for failed OAE and infants at risk for auditory neuropathy. The program objectives are completion of screening by one month, diagnosis by three months and entry to habilitation by six months. Program success requires regular monitoring of effectiveness, quality indicators and goal achievement.

Purpose: Describe establishment of Israeli NHSP from 2016 evaluation, data analysis from birthing hospitals and hearing habilitation centers.

Method: Analysis of hospital reports on screening coverage and coding system. Parental interviews about screening experience in hospital and follow-up. Data collected from 10 habilitation centers.

Results: Number of hospitals reporting screening results increased annually. In 2020, all maternity hospitals (n=31) reported screening coverage for 180,309 births. The 2020 coverage rate (29 hospitals) was 99.1%. The overall referral rate (173,600 newborns) was 2.9%. By 2020, 24 hospitals utilize computerized system for 152,700 newborns. Phone survey of 405 (84%) parents of 4–6-month-olds. A third of parents reported heightened concern over failed screen. Only half of parents with infants needing a follow-up exam reported an appointment within one month of discharge. About 70% of infants retested, passed.

Conclusions: Program targets not yet achieved. Computerized screen results expected to improve quality and reliability. Survey indicated 1) need more effective communication between caregivers and patients; 2) improved methods of transferring information. Monitoring effectiveness, assessing quality indicators reveals significant progress.