Advancing neonatal hearing screening in Latin America: Insights from pediatric otolaryngologists.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the real-world application of legislative measures and regulations governing newborn hearing testing in Latin America.

METHODS

An online survey was sent to the Interamerican Association of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology (IAPO) network to investigate neonatal hearing screening practices. Twelve questions were asked about legislation, implementation, and barriers to neonatal hearing screening.

RESULTS

A total of 89 pediatric otolaryngologists representing 20 Latin American nations participated in this survey. The majority of respondents (64 %) indicated the existence of neonatal hearing laws within their respective countries and correctly named the specific legislation. However, it is noteworthy that over half (58 %) of pediatric ear, nose, and throat specialists reported that these laws are not consistently put into practice in their daily clinical routines. Respondents from five countries disclosed that neonatal hearing screening is not conducted within the first month of an infant's life.

CONCLUSIONS

While the majority of Latin American nations have established legislation concerning neonatal hearing screening, its application in clinical practice is lacking due to economic obstacles. Marked disparities across Latin America persist for neonatal hearing screening. Our study provides key insights and recommendations aimed at addressing these issues, including the need for stronger legislative enforcement, increased funding, improved infrastructure, targeted professional training, and expanded public education to strengthen this vital aspect of healthcare in Latin America.