The hearing screening experiences and practices of primary health care nurses: Indications for referral based on high-risk factors and community views about hearing loss.

Background:  In South Africa, primary health care is the first point of contact with the health system for at least 85% of the population, yet early hearing detection and intervention continues to be elusive in these settings. Nurses at community level may, therefore, be missing an opportunity to identify prelingual infants with hearing losses and alter their developmental trajectory.

Aim:  To determine primary health care nurses' experiences, practices and beliefs regarding hearing loss in infants.