[Newborn hearing screening]

Prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss is 1-3 per 1,000 newborns. Transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) and automated auditory brain stem responses (AABR) are most frequently used methods in newborn hearing screening programmes.

The aim of this study was to examine hearing function in newborns with and without risk factors for hearing loss. We investigated accuracy and feasibility of two automated technologies: transient otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and auditory brain stem response (AABR) in early detection of hearing loss.

In prospective study, 907 newborns were tested on both ears with transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE). If results were "refer" we performed automated brain stem response (AABR). Two stage screening protocols were used with two screening technologies (TEOAE, AABR).

Results showed screening pass of 86.3% of the newborns in the first protocol and 99.3% in the second. Six (0.7%) newborns had positive screening results for hearing loss. They were referred for additional audolologic tests (otoacoustic emissions, tympanometry, and auditory brain stem response) to confirm or exclude hearing loss. Audiologic examination was performed up to the third month of life. We confirmed unilateral sensorineural hearing loss in two babies. Average test time per ear was 21.3 +/- 19.4 s forTEOAE and 135.3 +/- 67.9 s for AABR.

TEOAE, AABR tests are confidential, noninvasive and feasible methods and can help to detect hearing impairment.