Early hearing loss detection through otoacoustic emissions

Abstract

Introduction: Neonatal hearing loss is a public health problem early diagnosis and (re) habilitation adequate prevent the most important consequence of infant hearing loss: growing up without a language. Aim: To analyze the results obtained in the Universal Program for Early Detection of Infant Hearing Loss implemented in the Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Insular Materno Infantil, in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, from January 2007 to December 2013. Material and method: We studied otoacoustic emissions in both phases of the program for 44 597 newborns. The diagnostic phase was carried out at the Hearing Loss Unit, Department of Otorhinolaryngology. Results: Between January 2007 and December 2013, 46,587 children were born, 44,597 underwent screening, of which 41,621 have positive otoacustic emissions and in 1233 these are absent. In 8,193 the second phase gave positive otoacustic emissions in both ears and 649 failed the second phase. 9,581 newborns presented risk factors associated with hearing loss. The average referral to diagnostic phase was 5.69%, the program reached a coverage of 95.73%. 32 children diagnosed between 6 and 8 months entered the Cochlear Implant Program being operated on between 9 and 16 months. Conclusion: The Program in our hospital has proved adequate, achieving a covera- ge rate above 95%, highly satisfactory value considering the recommendations of the CODEPEH.