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Hearing-screening participation varies by language background, with non-native English-speaking children experiencing lower screening rates during key preventive care visits.
Early hearing screening plays a critical role in identifying hearing impairment and supporting healthy language and cognitive development in children. However, language and cultural barriers continue to influence healthcare utilization among immigrant families. This study aimed to examine differences in audiometric screening adherence and outcomes between non-native English-speaking (NNES) and native English-speaking (NES) pediatric patients.
A retrospective cohort analysis enrolled 176 children attending well-child visits at an academic outpatient pediatric clinic in the United States. The study included 88 NNES and 88 NES children and evaluated hearing-screening adherence at ages four, five, six, and eight years. Demographic characteristics, screening completion rates, screening outcomes, and referral patterns were explored between the groups.
The two groups were similar in age (mean 10.8 years; p=0.83), insurance status, and sex distribution. Among NNES children, Nepali (40%), Mai-Mai (11%), and Swahili (8%) were the most commonly spoken languages. However, NNES children were less likely to undergo recommended hearing screening at the 4-year (p=0.04) and 6-year (p=0.04) well-child visits. Despite these differences in screening uptake, hearing screening failure rates and referrals to audiologists or pediatric otolaryngologists remained comparable between NNES and NES children.
Hence, language-related disparities persisted in the completion of recommended hearing screenings, even when clinical outcomes and referral patterns remained comparable. These results underscored the need for culturally responsive healthcare strategies and more standardized pediatric hearing-screening practices to foster equitable preventive care.
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Examining Audiometric Screening Outcomes in Non-Native English-Speaking Pediatric Patients
Christopher P. Kruglik et al.
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