Newborns Matters: The Case for Universal Screening, Timely Intervention, and Sustainable Care in Iran
Journal of Otorhinolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery,
Vol. 11 No. 1 (2025),
5 May 2025
,
Page 1-4
https://doi.org/10.22037/orlfps.v11i1.52447
Abstract
Congenital hearing loss is a major, often underrecognized global public health challenge (1) Its significance stems from the fact that it is among the few pediatric disabilities for which early identification and intervention can profoundly alter developmental outcomes (2). Without detection in the neonatal period, its consequences extend beyond auditory impairment to affect speech, language, cognition, education, social participation, family well-being, and lifetime productivity (2). In Iran, newborn hearing screening programs have expanded substantially in recent years. A national analysis reported that in 2022, 1,006,293 of 1,106,072 newborns underwent hearing screening, corresponding to a coverage rate of 90.97%. The study also estimated a mean prevalence of congenital hearing loss of 3.3 per 1,000 births and showed that a two-step screening strategy using otoacoustic emissions followed by automated auditory brainstem response is the most cost-effective approach, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 3297.2 US PPP per quality-adjusted life year (3). These findings are encouraging, indicating that large‑scale newborn hearing screening is both feasible and economically justifiable within the Iranian health system. Nevertheless, screening represents only the initial component of a comprehensive care pathway. Effective early hearing detection and intervention programs must ensure timely diagnostic confirmation, appropriate amplification, early rehabilitative services, and, when indicated, cochlear implantation to achieve optimal developmental outcomes.
- Congenital hearing loss
- newborn hearing screening
How to Cite
References
1.Korver AMH, Smith RJH, Van Camp G, Schleiss MR, Bitner-Glindzicz MAK, Lustig LR, et al. Congenital hearing loss. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017 Jan 12;3:16094. doi:10.1038/nrdp.2016.94 PubMed PMID: 28079113; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5675031.
2.Poonual W, Navacharoen N, Kangsanarak J, Namwongprom S. Outcome of Early Identification and Intervention on Infants with Hearing Loss Under Universal Hearing Screening Program. J Med Assoc Thai. 2017 Feb;100(2):197–206. PubMed PMID: 29916635.
3.Moradi-Joo E, Noori Hekmat S, Ghobeishipour H, Hamedpour H, Davarpanah M, Barouni M, et al. Challenges and Strategies of Newborn Hearing Screening Programs Worldwide: A Scoping Review. Med J Islam Repub Iran. 2026 Jan 1;40(1):254 EP – 261. doi:10.47176/mjiri.40.29
4.Porcar-Gozalbo N, López-Zamora M, Valles-González B, Cano-Villagrasa A. Impact of Hearing Loss Type on Linguistic Development in Children: A Cross-Sectional Study. Audiol Res. 2024 Nov 27;14(6):1014–27. doi:10.3390/audiolres14060084 PubMed PMID: 39727607; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11673131.
5.Hall ML, Eigsti IM, Bortfeld H, Lillo-Martin D. Executive Function in Deaf Children: Auditory Access and Language Access. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2018 Aug 8;61(8):1970–88. doi:10.1044/2018_JSLHR-L-17-0281
6.McCreery RW, Walker EA. Variation in auditory experience affects language and executive function skills in children who are hard of hearing. Ear Hear. 2022;43(2):347–60. doi:10.1097/AUD.0000000000001098 PubMed PMID: 34288630; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8738778.
7.Yin L, Liu J, Zhang J, Tang L, He S, Shan C, et al. Economic burden due to hearing loss among individuals in Hebei, China. BMC Public Health. 2025 Mar 21;25:1080. doi:10.1186/s12889-025-22177-6 PubMed PMID: 40119393; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11927146.
8.Year 2019 Position Statement: Principles and Guidelines for Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Programs - American Academy of Audiology [Internet]. [cited 2026 Jun 9]. Available from: https://www.audiology.org/practice-guideline/year-2019-position-statement-principles-and-guidelines-for-early-hearing-detection-and-intervention-programs/
9.Alothman N, Abdelsamad Y, Almuhawas F, Allami H, Hagr A. Cochlear implantation in pediatrics: Impact of newborn hearing screening on intervention time. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2024 Jun;181:111990. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111990 PubMed PMID: 38796944.
10.Entwisle LK, Warren SE, Messersmith JJ. Cochlear Implantation for Children and Adults with Severe-to-Profound Hearing Loss. Semin Hear. 2018 Nov;39(4):390–404. doi:10.1055/s-0038-1670705 PubMed PMID: 30374210; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6203457.
11.THE BENEFITS OF EARLY COCHLEAR IMPLANTATION FOR SPEECH DEVELOPMENT IN CHILDREN WITH USHER SYNDROME: LITERATURE REVIEW [Internet]. [cited 2026 Jun 10]. Available from: https://www.journalofhearingscience.com/THE-BENEFITS-OF-EARLY-COCHLEAR-IMPLANTATION-FOR-SPEECH-DEVELOPMENT-IN-CHILDREN-WITH,187260,0,2.html#
12.Sharma SD, Cushing SL, Papsin BC, Gordon KA. Hearing and speech benefits of cochlear implantation in children: A review of the literature. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2020 Jun 1;133:109984. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.109984
13.Developmental Outcomes Following Early Cochlear Implantation in Infants and Toddlers: a Comparative Study with Normal-hearing Peers | Head and Neck Diseases Conflux [Internet]. [cited 2026 Jun 10]. Available from: https://ojs.lifeconfluxpress.com/index.php/hndconflux/article/view/prwgkz02
14.Arras T, Boudewyns A, Dhooge I, Zarowski A, Philips B, Desloovere C, et al. Early cochlear implantation supports narrative skills of children with prelingual single-sided deafness. Sci Rep. 2023 Oct 19;13(1):17828. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-45151-x
15.Bozsoy Mİ, Yücel E. Corrigendum to “Auditory and language development in children with cochlear implants: A retrospective longitudinal study” [Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol (198), November 2025, 112601]. International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 2025 Nov 1;198:112615. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2025.112615
- Abstract Viewed: 49 times
- PDF Downloaded: 26 times