Estimated prevalence of permanent hearing loss among newborns and 6-year-olds: An evaluation of the three auditory screenings in Uppsala

This study estimated the permanent hearing loss (PHL) prevalence among newborns and 6-year-olds in the Uppsala region (Sweden), compared how different definitions affected this estimation, and evaluated the outcome of the three hearing screening occasions for children. A retrospective investigation of medical records and audiograms was conducted for children born in 2011-2012. Data extraction was performed when the children had reached 7 years of age. Hearing loss was defined as > 20 dB hearing level in at least one frequency (125-8000 Hz) in one or both ears (clinician's definition). A total of 1385 children were included, and 95 were diagnosed with PHL. The prevalence of bilateral PHL at 6 years was 5.50 per 1000 children based on the clinician's definition, 3.74 per 1000 children based on the World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 definition, and 2.64 per 1000 children based on the WHO 1991 definition. Adding unilateral PHL resulted in a total prevalence of 10.11 (clinician's definition) and 6.16 (WHO 2021) per 1000 children. This study demonstrates the necessity of repeated hearing testing during childhood to identify PHL and suggests a higher prevalence in 6-year-olds than previously reported. The definition of PHL greatly impacted its estimated prevalence.