Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Periodic Health Examination: Screening for Hearing Disorders.

OBJECTIVE

These Philippine clinical practice guidelines (CPG) were developed to guide healthcare professionals on screening for hearing disorders among apparently healthy children and adult Filipinos.

METHODS

Following the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to CPG development recommended in the Department of Health Manual, the Task Force Steering Committee developed four key questions. The evidence review experts reviewed existing CPGs and appraised and summarized evidence. The multisectoral consensus panel reviewed the evidence summaries and developed recommendations during the en banc meeting. Three independent stakeholders reviewed the draft guidelines on the content, clarity, acceptability, applicability, and feasibility of the recommendations. Their feedback was taken into consideration by the steering committee before finalizing the CPG.

RESULTS

This CPG provides 10 recommendations based on four prioritized questions in the screening for hearing and vestibular disorders among apparently healthy children (from prenatal to school age) and adults.

CONCLUSION

The consensus panel recommended the screening for hearing and vestibular disorders in certain population groups, based on the available evidence, the burden of disease, the cost of the confirmatory testing, and its applicability to the population.