Evaluation and importance of our newborn hearing screening results

Aim: In this study, we aimed to share the hearing screening results of newborns born in Konya Beyhekim Hospital and the risk factors in infants with hearing loss in the light of the current literature. Methods: In this study, the results of 13693 newborns who underwent hearing screening in our hospital between January 2011 and April 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. The hearing screening was performed by transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs). Auditory brainstem response (ABR) screening test was made in babies who failed the TEOAE test twice. The patients’ sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and risk factors were evaluated. Results: 10987 (80.2%) of 13693 newborns who underwent hearing screening have passed on the first TEOAE screening. 863 (38.5%) newborns have passed on the second TEOAE screening. 1134 (93.3%) newborns have passed on the ABR screening. 62 of 81 (0.6%) patients who have failed the ABR screening had no hearing loss. Thirteen of the newborns born in our hospital had hearing loss. Conclusion: As in many centers in our country, newborn hearing screening has become routine in our hospital. It is important to follow up newborns for determining the actual incidence and early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.