Abstract:

Aim: To evaluate the newborn hearing screening test results performed in our hospital. Material and Method: 7918 newborns were evaluated between January 2007- May 2012 in the study. The babies at high risk for congenital hearing loss were determined according to the protocol released by Ministry of Health Newborn Hearing Screening Program. The hearing screening was applied to all newborns using Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions’ (TEOAE) Test for all babies. The newborns who failed the TEOAE test initially, had the test again after fifteen days. The babies who failed to complete TEOAE test and the others who had the diseases which may carry the risk for causing hearing loss were referred to specialized centers for screening Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) measurements and other diagnostic odiologic tests. Findings: Hearing loss was suspected in 56 of 7918 babies. The rate of suspicies hearing loss was 0,7 %. Conclusion: The hearing screening tests have great importance in the recognition of newborns with hearing loss. Newborns who failed in hearing screening tests should be re-evaluated with more comprehensive methods.

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