Objective: The aim of this study was to examine loss to follow-up on the usage of diagnostic or intervention services for South Carolina infants screened or diagnosed with hearing loss and the risk factors associated with loss to follow up.
Design: A cross sectional analysis of data from South Carolina was used to examine loss to follow-up on the use of audiologic evaluation services after initial newborn hearing screening and receipt of intervention services after confirmation of hearing loss.
Results: Three percent (3.1%) of all children screened in the state of South Carolina did not pass their newborn hearing screening test in 2013 with less than half (49.1%) of those children not reported to have used audiologic diagnostic services within one month of their initial screening test. Factors significant with receipt of services include birth weight, mother’s education, insurance type, and rurality. The degree of hearing loss was a significant determinant of receiving intervention at some point in time.
Conclusions: The highest risk children are “lost follow-up” for both the initial diagnostic services and follow-up intervention services in South Carolina. Interventions targeted at specific groups are needed to improve the delivery of hearing services and prevent a public health shortfall
