Identification and treatment of hearing loss at the Frank Hilton Organization, Fiji

Early identification of hearing loss (HL) is critical to ensuring that children have the best opportunity to acquire communication and participate fully in family,
academic, and future work life. Provision of timely and appropriate hearing and communication therapies in Fiji relies on a coordinated approach between hearing
and communication experts across the country. This presentation uses file audit data to describe the prevalence and profiles of HL in clients referred to Frank
Hilton Organization in Fiji between 2019 and 2020. Results indicate that, consistent with population estimates, annual in hospital neonatal testing identifies 1.75%
of children with a hearing loss (screened: n=228; identified with HL: n=4). However, hearing screening of older children and young adults (age range: 0;9 - 24;0)
at FHO outpatient and outreach clinics across Fiji identified 5.04% with significant HL in the same time period (screened: n= 1191; identified with HL: n=60).
Numbers suggest that young Fijians with HL (either developmental or acquired) are often not identified as requiring intervention until preschool age or older. Late
identification has the potential to significantly reduce life long educational, social, and occupational outcomes. Recommendations for improving early
identification of, and interventions for, HL in Fiji are presented.