Hearing screening results of preterm babies who have been diagnosed with retinopathy of premature

The aim of this study was to evaluate the audiological aspects of preterm babies who had or had not been diagnosed with ROP as a result of the examination of premature infants for retinopathy. The universe of the study consists of prematures born between January 2016 and June 2018 (2.5 years) in Dr.Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Education and Research Hospital. In this study a total of 6304 preterm babies are included, first have taken the ROP examination in Eye Polyclinics. The number of prematures diagnosed with ROP is 3008 (1520 male, 1488 female) and the number of those without ROP is 3296 (1641 male, 1655 female). Afterward in accordance to National Newborn Hearing Screening Program all controlled preterm babies are done the TEOAE test and AABR test in Newborn Hearing Screening Unit. 46 of 1520 male prematures diagnosed with ROP and 53 of 1488 female prematures diagnosed with ROP have not passed the hearing screening test. Of all the 6304 preterm babies 96.7% have passed and 3.3% have not passed the hearing screening test. Accordingly, there was no significant relationship between retinopathy of prematurity and hearing loss, and no significant relationship was found between ROP diagnosis and hearing screening test results according to Chi-square analysis (χ2=.001, p>.05). As a result of the research, hearing screening test results of infants with and without ROP were revealed. It was observed that there was no significant relationship between premature retinopathy and hearing loss, and it was thought that the problems on vision and hearing system in premature babies could be seen independently. Research using diagnostic tests will shed light on this issue. Keywords: Retinopathy of Prematurity, risk factors, hearing screening, hearing loss.