Newborn Hearing Screening Outcomes From Rize; Turkey

Abstract

Objective: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the patients included into national newborn hearing program in Rize Province, Turkey, between 2010 and 2015 with literature outcomes. Material and Method: Totally 25,373 newborns born within Rize province between January 2010 and December 2015 were enrolled into the study. Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) and Auditory Brainstem Response (ARB) tests were used. the infants failed from TEOAE were subjected to ABR on the same day; infants who also failed from ABR were referred to a reference centre for clinical ABR. Results: Among 25,373 infants enrolled into the study, 1,562 (6.15%) infants failed from first and second tests and were referred to a reference centre for clinical ABR. Unilateral hearing loss was detected in 1 infant whereas bilateral hearing loss was detected in 15 infants. A risk factor was determined in 7 of 16 infants with hearing loss. Conclusion: Hearing loss affects the social, emotional and mental development of the newborns negatively. Newborn hearing screening allows early recognition of babies with hearing loss and may provide early treatment.