Implementation of neonatal screening for hearing impairment: Influence on pediatric otitis media surgery in The Netherlands

There seems to be an association between the implementation of neonatal screening for hearing impairment and the treatment of otitis media. During the whole studied period there was a slight but statistical significant increase in the odds for tube placement in all children aged 0-23 months. After implementation of the neonatal screen there was a distinct increase in the number of children aged 6-11 months treated with tubes. In the same period a statistical significant decline in the odds of undergoing adenoidectomy was observed.