Comparison Of Hearing Screening Protocols For Universal Newborn Hearing Screening In Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Congenital hearing loss is one of the most common major abnormalities present at birth. Early diagnose is very important. In this study a comparison of five different newborn hearing screening protocols are made to determine the most suitable screening protocol which can form a model for newborn hearing screenings in Turkey's maternity hospitals. Methods: Newborn hearing screening tests (TEOAE and AABR) were performed on 500 newborns. Five test protocols were used and compared. In the first protocol, TEOAE was only used. In the second protocol AABR was only used. In the third protocol automatic tympanometry, TEOAE and AABR were used. In the fourth protocol TEOAE and AABR were used. In the fifth protocol automatic tympanometry and TEOAE were used. Results: Congenital bilateral hearing loss is found 2/1000 in this study. There was high consistency among second (A-ABR used only), the third (Automatic tympanometry TEOAE and A-ABR were used) and the fourth (TEOAE and AABR were used) protocols. On accounts of high population number and rapid population growth, it is vital to conduct national newborn hearing screening in Turkey.