It was a document expected from all professionals in the neonatal deafness screening. The HAS has just published, on June 23, 2025, a recommendation concerning this screening program. It rules on issues that arouse discussions and debates within this microcosm since the generalization of this program in 2015, and establishes a framework for improving the system. Among the main questions are that of the type of deafness that must be detected – bilateral only or also unilateral – and the test that must be used for this – Peaa or Oea.
Regarding the first question, the has ” recommends that neonatal deafness screening will be carried out on each of the two ears In other words, bilateral and unilateral deafness be deducted. However, it issues reservations concerning this screening ” Due to the absence of data on clinical utility and the impact of the inclusion of screening for unilateral neonatal deafness ». It therefore pleads for the evaluation of the management of this screening, in the regions where it is already in place, ” Before it includes the national national screening program ». Above all, she does not make it a main objective: she ” can be taken into account, but at a second level of priority ».
The HAS is also pronounced as to the choice of test. It is leaning for PEAA, more effective (especially to detect neuropathies) but more difficult to achieve. It indicates that OEAs can be produced ” Pending the generalization of (…) the training of professionals and the appropriate equipment in establishments ». It also pleads for an economic assessment of these two methods to be carried out. As is already the case, it also recommends that the PEAA will be systematically used for the screening of newborns at risk or premature.
More generally, the HAS recommendations do not differ much from those of the French Federation of the actors of the neonatal hearing screening. The detection threshold goes to 35 dB – it ” Allows to detect maximum deafness while limiting an overload of downstream services -, the first test must be carried out at 48 h ideally (the FFADAN recommended from 36 h), the second before the release of maternity. If necessary, a second step or T3 must be carried out by PEAA no later than a month of age corrected in the case of prematurity and the appointment must be planned before the establishment of the establishment, “ in order to ensure the continuity of the screening course ». This is a novelty compared to the 2014 specifications, but that a majority of maternity had established. For infants who have not benefited from deafness screening or who were born in atypical contexts (early outings, births at home), HAS recommends the realization ” as soon as possible A catch -up stage, by Peaa as well. The HAS finally recommends that the diagnostic step be carried out ideally at one month and before the corrected age of three months, for children with a result not concluding at T3 or the catch -up test.
The training of health professionals involved has not been forgotten. Its strengthening is among the HAS recommendations. She must wear “both on technical aspects and on relational aspects, in particular on the issuance of information to families And this, from the prenatal consultations of the third quarter. The body also suggests the development of supports adapted to different audiences and insists on the importance of “Present the test sequence as a global screening process».
Note that several questions have not been studied within the framework of this recommendation, in particular genetic screening and the financing of this program.
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