Improvement the model of İnonu University neonatal hearing screening program

Introduction: To assess the outcomes of Neonatal Hearing Screening Program in Inonu University with regard to the detected final diagnosis and investigate the efficiency of screening protocol.Method: From January 2007 to January 2008,1453 neonates from neonatal unit and intensive care unit were evaluated with transiet evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) as a first level of screening program. Referred children were followed during 18 months period. Three-phase screening protocol was used . Newborns were tested 2-48 h after birth. An acceptable OAE response in both ear was necessary for ?pass?. If the second phase OAE response resulted as a ?refer?, than a complete audiological evaluation with a clinical ABR was scheduled with in 30 days.Results: 1395 (96.1 %) of 1453 examined children passed first and second step of screening protocol, 45 neonates did not attend the follow-up. 604 cases (41.6 %) failed the second stage TEOAE test and were assesed in the third phase. Thirteen (0.89 %) of them resulted as ?refer? at the third phase and 10 (0.69 %) were identified with a hearing impairement. Three neonates presented bilateral profoud hearing loss and 7 neonates had bilateral mild to moderate hearing loss. Three of them identified as normal hearing after their treatment at follow-up period. Five neonates were amplified with hearing device and hearing education was scheduled. Two infants were scheduled for cochlear iplantation an done of them was implanted.Conclusion: Prematurity was not a risk factor in our screening population. This study indicates that all newborn and the intensive care unit babies should be assessed for estimates of hearing status. Newborn hearing screening program permit early diagnosis and intervention in neonates and infant before 6th month of age.