Ethical issues in neonatal screening of hearing loss in Chile

Abstract

Neonatal hearing loss represents one of the most common congenital abnormalities. The importance is that if not detected early, it impacts the development of language, communication skills, and cognitive and social development of the affected. In Chile there is no accurate estimates of population incidence in infants with this condition, because there is no national screening program for neonatal hearing loss. In this article, were view the situation in Chile compared too the countries in the region, and it is subject oethical debate whether the country is ready to move toward a national program, if it is necessary a universal program, and if hearing loss can be considered as a disability, considering different visions of society. It is imperative to discuss this topic, and conduct advocacy to gener at legislation to consider screening for hearing loss in newborns.