Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
14:05
Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
National newborn hearing screening program in Turkey: struggles and implementations between 2004 and 2008
Hilal Bolat1, Fevzi G Bebitoglu, Sema Ozbas
1Directorate General for Mother & Children's Health and Family Planning, Ministry of Health, 06660 Ankara, Turkey.
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|September 1, 2009
Summary
Early hearing loss detection in newborns is crucial. Turkey's National Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NNHSP) screened 764,352 infants, identifying hearing impairments for timely intervention.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Audiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- The National Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NNHSP) in Turkey commenced in 2003.
- Initial implementation involved a single center, expanding over time.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present data from the National Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NNHSP) covering five years of operation.
- To highlight the importance of universal newborn hearing screening.
Main Methods:
- Screening of 764,352 newborns between 2004 and 2008.
- Utilized Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) and Auditory Brain Response (ABR) testing.
- Referred diagnosed infants for advanced audiological treatment and rehabilitation.
Main Results:
- A total of 764,352 newborns were screened over five years.
- In 2008, 2136 children were diagnosed with hearing loss (320 unilateral, 417 bilateral).
- These children were referred for specialized care.
Conclusions:
- Newborn hearing screening is essential for early detection and intervention.
- The NNHSP aims for universal access for all newborns in Turkey within the next five years.
