The Distribution of Risk Factors among High Risk Infants who Failed at Hearing Screening

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Describe the incidence of risk factors for hearing loss among NICU babies who failed at hearing screening. DESIGN: A total of 966 babies born at either university hospital or referred by the state maternity hospitals within near vicinity were screened during one year period. Madsen Accuscreen Pro Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission Measurement (TE-OAE) system was used for initial hearing screening. Year 2000 Position Statement: Principles and guidelines for early hearing detection and intervention programs prepared by Joint Committee on Infant Hearing were used for risk factors and to prepare hearing screening protocol. A total of 275 NICU babies were screened just before the baby discharge from the hospital and if the baby fails at first screen then follow up tests were done when the baby reach full term. Of 275 babies 151 (55%) were males and 124 (45%) were females. RESULTS: Descriptive analyses were used to describe characteristics of this sample. A total of 227 (83%) out of 275 NICU babies passed and 48 (17%) failed initial hearing screening and among them, 5 babies (1.8%) were diagnosed as hearing impaired at various degrees and they all were aided by the end of the first year. CONCLUSION: Bacterial meningitis, consanguinity and prolonged mechanical ventilation as well as prematurity and low birth weight are high risk factors of congenital hearing loss for babes in NICU.