Implementing hearing screening among children aged 0–59 months at established immunization clinics in Uganda: A multi-center study

This cross-sectional multi-center study conducted at three regional referral hospitals in Uganda examined the implementation of hearing screening services by non-specialist health workers at routine immunization clinics for children aged 0–59 months. Using two-stage Transient Evoked Otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) screening on 1,217 children, the study found a failed hearing screening prevalence of 3.7%. Factors associated with failed screening included rural residence, low birth weight, family history of hearing loss, hospital admission after birth, and childhood suppurative otitis media. The study demonstrates that implementing childhood hearing screening by non-specialist health workers at immunization clinics is feasible and may be a necessary initial step for establishing countrywide hearing screening programs in Uganda.