Factor affecting the hearing test of patientsreceiving treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit

Congenital hearing loss is one of the most common congenital abnormalities. It was found that the frequency of hearing loss increased in patients discharged from the neonatal intensive care unit(NICU). Hearing loss negatively affects the mental development,the psychological well-being, sensory development and educational life of the affected individuals. These problems can be significantly reduced with early diagnosis and rehabilitation. In our study, we aimed to determine the participation status of the patients who received treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit of our hospital in the hearing screening tests and the relationship between the risk factors of the patients who survived the hearing screening tests. MATERIAL AND METHOD Babies who were treated at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Medical Faculty Hospital YDYBU between October 2016 and June 2020 were included in the study.Hearing screening results of the babies included in the study were reached at www.isitmetarama.saglik.gov.tr During this period, babies who were hospitalized in the service but whose treatments were not completed and who were referred and died were excluded from the study. RESULTS 2246 babies hospitalized in intensive care unit were included. Referred and dead babies were excluded from the study. It was seen in the screening V results (86.3%) that ABR was applied to 1939 patients and OAE was applied to 47 patients (2.2%).It was observed that 120 patients who failed the first test (5.3%) with ABR didn't come for control. 307 (13.7%) patients never came for hearing tests. Twenty-two (1%) patients were referred by failing the two-stage ABR test. 110 (4.8%) patients were referred because of risk. 4 of the patients who were dispatched were diagnosed with mild hearing and were followed up. Three patients were diagnosed with hearing loss and hearing aids were inserted. CONCLUSION In our study, it was determined that the presence of consanguinity, hypothermia application frequency, cesarean delivery, peri-ventricular intracanial hemorrhage, presence of mother's prenatal diabetes, and birth weight less than 1500 g were found to be statistically significantly higher in patients hospitalized in the NICU compared to babies who passed the test (p<0,05). According to all test results, APGAR 1st minute (p = 0.039) values were found to be lower in babies who failed the test. At the time of the study, the rate of participation in the hearing screening test was low. Hearing screening participation rate is low, measures should be taken to increase participation and families should be informed. All newborns should be screened for hearing before discharge from the hospital with an appropriate test protocol. Families, healthcare professionals and even the whole society should be made aware of the effectiveness of the screening program and the importance of early diagnosis of hearing loss. Hearing screening tests of all newborn babies, especially babies receiving treatment in the NICU, should be paid attention to. Keywords: Hearing Screening, Neonatal intensive care, Risk factor