Methods for identification of PCHI in the neonatal stage are now accepted clinical practice. Neonatal testing in maternity hospitals is more effective and less expensive than behavioral screening conventionally carried out at 7 to 9 months. Hearing screening in the neonatal period cannot identify acquired or progressive hearing loss occurring subsequently. Neonatal hearing screening should be considered to be the first part of a program of habilitation of hearing impaired children, including facilities for diagnosis and assessment. A system of quality control is an essential component of a neonatal hearing screening program.
Quality control includes training of personnel and audit of performance.
The person responsible for quality control should be identified. Although the health care systems in Europe differ from country to country in terms of organization and funding, implementation of neonatal hearing screening programs should not be delayed. This will give new European citizens greater opportunities and better quality of life into the next millennium. Full deliberations of the panel will be published at a later date. All rights reserved.