The results are to be used as a comparison to assist hospitals in their choice of screening method. Using the hospital perspective, the protocols were compared using the variables of cost, screening test sensitivity, and screening test specificity. In contrast to the OAE test, the ABR test presents sounds to the ear and detects nervous system activity in specific locations of the hearing pathway. Effectiveness was defined as the number of infants with hearing loss identified specifically through the screening program. The sole outcome measure was the number of infants with hearing loss identified through newborn screening.
Cost is a significant factor in the implementation of universal newborn hearing screening programs.