Awareness Analysis of the National Support Policy for Newborns and Infants With Hearing Loss Who Performed National Infant Health Checkup

Abstract

Background and Objectives It is well recognized that early detection and intervention are most important for the prevention of neonatal hearing loss. The national support policy in Korea for newborn hearing screening has been changed since October 2018; however, parent awareness of the change still needs to be increased. This study investigated how well parents, who have underwent national infant checkups of their children, were aware of the Korean national policy for neonatal and infant hearing loss in parents.Subjects and Method A survey of neonatal hearing tests and national support policies conducted for 353 parents was analyzed. The survey included questions about parent awareness of the neonatal hearing screening test period, confirmatory test period, national support for these expenses, and hearing aid support. Also evaluated were the necessity of national guidance and management system for neonatal hearing.Results The test time of neonatal hearing screening was correctly recognized by 82.2% of the parents. The percentage increased after the national insurance coverage started in October 2018 in Korea, and the rate was higher for parents who visited an otolaryngology clinic rather than a pediatric clinic. The test time of the confirmatory test was correctly recognized only by 20.4%. National support policy for neonatal hearing screening tests, confirmatory hearing tests, and hearing aids were acknowledged by 50.7%, 43.1%, and 56.1% of the parents, respectively.Conclusion These results indicate the necessity of efforts to increase the awareness of neonatal hearing tests and relevant support policies in Korea to ultimately achieve early hearing detection and intervention of neonates and infants in Korea.