Effectiveness of auto-aucustic emissification technique in early diagnosis and rehabilitation of neonatal hearing loss, evaluation of etiology of hearing loss

Aim: Our aim was to evaluate results of newborn hearing screening program performed in Celal Bayar University, to detect frequency of hearing loss and determination of risc factors and to evaluate effectiveness of screening protocol.Method: From April 2009 to April 2010, 691 neonates, attended in our neonatal primary care unit and intensive care unit, were evaluated with transient otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), as a first line of screening protocol, within 24 hours of their birth. If sufficient response was taken in TEOAE, the result was evaluated as a ?pass?, as ?refer? when there was not enough response and as an ?invalid test? if the low response was due to excessive noise, probe placement error or probe congestion. Second TEOAE was applied to referred babies 15 days later. An acceptable TEOAE response in both ears was necessary for getting a ?pass?. If the second phase TEOAE response has resulted as a ?refer?, than ABR was scheduled with in 30 days. Newborn who had hearing loss according to ABR results were followed up. In our study, the risk factors such as hyperbilirubinemia, VLBW, prematurity, consanguinity between parents, first and fifth minute Apgar score <7, history of mechanical ventilation during newborn period, diuretic therapy, the accompanying syndrome, family history of hearing loss, aminoglycoside usage, accompanying cranio-facial anomalies and maternal febrile disease during pregnancy were evaluated.Results: 666 ( 96,3 %) of 691 examined children passed at both first and second step of newborn screening protocol, 1 neonate did not attend the follow-up. 103(%14,9) neonates received a ?refer? response in their first TEOAE test. After 2- step TEOAE protocol completed, 25 (3,6 %) of 103 cases had ?refer? result. 6 (%0,86) babies had hearing loss. In 3 babies bilateral severe hearing loss, in 1 baby moderate, bilateral hearing loss and in 2 babies unilateral, severe hearing loss were detected. 19 neonates were identified as having normal hearing during their follow-up and treatment course. All neonates with hearing loss were performed amplification with a hearing device and hearing education was scheduled.Conclusion: This study indicates that all healthy newborn babies and the ones attending intensive care unit should be assessed for their hearing status. Newborn hearing screening program permit early diagnosis and treatment of neonates and infant before 6th month of age. İn our study craniofacial anomalies and risk factors such family history of hearing loss have been associated with hearing loss. Prematurity was not a risk factor for hearing loss in our screening population.