Preliminary steps towards implementation of universal neonatal hearing screening in Albania

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Delayed diagnosis and/or treatment of the hearing impairment could jeopardize the future personal and social development of affected infants. Universal newborn hearing screening is an important instrument that enables the detection of most babies born with hearing impairment, but this practice needs to meet certain criteria in order to be implementable. The EUSCREEN project in Albania offers an opportunity to determine a costoptimized model of childhood hearing screening that could be implemented in different low-to-middle income countries. In this context, the present study focuses on describing the current state of affairs of this project in Albania.

METHODS: We provide the readers with a general description of activities that have been carried out in the framework of the preparatory phase and the implementation of EUSCREEN project activities in Albania. In addition, screening tests and procedure is explained and the preliminary prevalence of hearing impairment among newborns is calculated.

RESULTS: EUSCREEN project in Albania has gone through multiple meetings among local partners. It is being implemented in three socioeconomically diverse districts of the country. Various theoretical and practical sessions have taken place and a large number of informative materials are produced. The screening covered about 95% of all targeted newborns in selected project sites.

Conclusion: So far, the EUSCREEN project in Albania is providing valuable information about the newborn hearing screening procedures, which will be used by the international team of experts to determine a cost-optimized model of childhood hearing screening.