Clinical experience of the newborn hearing screening program at Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica de Chile
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Keywords
Hearing loss, neonatal screening, otoacoustic emissions, auditory brainstem evoked response, risk factors
Abstract
Introduction: Congenital hearing loss is one of the most common neonatal conditions, affecting 1-3 per 1,000 live births. Early detection and intervention are critical for mini- mizing its impact on language, cognitive, and socio-emotional development. Universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) is the most effective strategy for identifying hearing loss early. Objective: To describe the results of the newborn hearing screening program at Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica de Chile (HCUC). Materials and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of live newborns screened between 2019 and 2023. Screening was conducted using the HCUC protocol. Patients who did not pass the initial screening underwent follow-up evaluations. Results: Of 7,771 live births, 7,147 newborns were scree- ned, achieving 92% coverage. Since 2020, the coverage rate has exceeded 95%. The referral rate for diagnostic evaluation was 0.78%, and the incidence of congenital hearing loss was 2.6 per 1,000 live births. Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) incidence was 1.8 per 1,000 live births. Among patients with SNHL, 43% had no risk factors. Conclusions: The HCUC program meets international standards for coverage and referral rates. However, challenges persist in ensuring follow-up for referred patients. Strengthening communication systems and parental education is essential to optimize outcomes and align with international qua- lity standards.
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