By Angella Kiragu Wangare, student of the Master in Clinical Audiology and Hearing Therapy

Abstract

Neonatal hearing impairment is a significant public health concern that can adversely affect cognitive, language and social development if undetected. Although universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) is a routine program in high- income countries its implementation in Sub-Saharan Africa nations including Kenya remains limited as a result of resource constraints, cultural barriers and rural- urban unequal healthcare access, despite recent Kenya national policy prioritizing early detection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of neonatal hearing loss at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2025, involving 2,982 infants aged 0-3 months screened using Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) technologies. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from hospital records and structured guardian interviews with follow-up testing for those who failed the initial screening. Screening coverage reached 98.7% exceeding Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) targets. The initial referral rate of 20.9% decreased to 5.2% after second stage testing with higher referrals among infants in the newborn unit and Maternal and Child Health clinic. The study demonstrates that a two-stage screening protocol effectively reduces false positives and is feasible for integration into routine newborn care at MTRH. The strengthening of supporting policy, funding, caregiver awareness and staff training is essential for advancing early hearing detection and intervention in Kenya.

Keywords: Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, Newborn Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Otoacoustic Emissions, Automated Auditory Brainstem Response, Prevalence, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Download the full Research Work: Kiragu, A. W. (2025). Assessment of the Prevalence of Neonatal Hearing Loss at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). SAERA