OBJECTIVES. To review studies on newborn hearing screening in Hong Kong and the current evidence on the cost-effectiveness of universal newborn hearing screening programmes and to determine their value and the best model for such a programme in Hong Kong.

DATA SOURCE. Medline literature search (1985-2004), local reports and abstracts available to the author.

STUDY SELECTION. Literature and data on newborn hearing screening strategies, screening devices, cost-effectiveness study of universal newborn hearing screening programmes.

DATA EXTRACTION. Relevant information and data were reviewed by the author.

DATA SYNTHESIS. A universal newborn hearing screening programme with a high coverage rate is essential to enable early diagnosis and intervention before 6 months of age. This ensures good language and cognitive outcomes in hearing impaired children. A cost-effective universal newborn hearing screening programme should be hospital-based to achieve a high coverage rate, use modern screening devices with high sensitivity and specificity that enable early diagnosis, and be acceptable to parents.

CONCLUSIONS. Increasing evidence supports the cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits of universal newborn hearing screening programmes. The medical community in Hong Kong should work towards the development and implementation of a well-coordinated, collaborative, multidisciplinary, cost-effective, and sustainable territory-wide universal newborn hearing screening programme coupled with interventions for the next generation of hearing impaired children.

Key words: Hearing disorders; Hearing tests; Infant, newborn; Neonatal screening

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