The results of national newborn hearing screening (NNHS) data of 11,575 newborns from west part of Turkey

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to review the National Newborn Hearing Screening (NNHS) programme data obtained from Corlu, located in west part of Turkey for the last 4 years. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total 11575 newborns that were either born in Corlu State Hospital or referred from other Health Care Cen - ters, between September 2009 and November 2012 were included into the study. Automated- Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (A- TEOAE) test and Automated-Auditory Brainstem Response (A-ABR) were used as screening tests. When the newborn had failed at the initial A-TEOAE test, then the test was repeated after 15 days. If the same result was obtained at the second test; the newborns were referred for ENT examination. A-TEOAE and A-ABR screen - ing tests were performed as the third stage eval - uation. The failed newborns were referred for clinical ABR test. RESULTS: Out of 11575 newborns, 593 (5.12%) had failed the test and they were referred for clinical ABR. Out of these 593 neonates, 470 had passed the diagnostic ABR test at the refer - ral center. Bilateral and unilateral sensori-neural hearing loss (SNHL) was detected at 15 and 7 babies respectively, 10 of 22 of these babies had risk factors such as family history of hearing loss, and parental consanguinity. CONCLUSIONS: The final hearing impairment and risk factor rates of our study was similar with literature. Although referral rates and the number of default babies gradually decreased in the last 4 years; definitive diagnosis and hearing aid initiation times need to improve - ment.