International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 73, Issue 12 , Pages 1621-1623, December 2009

National Newborn Hearing Screening Program in Turkey: Struggles and implementations between 2004 and 2008

Directorate General for Mother & Children's Health and Family Planning, Ministry of Health, 06660 Ankara, Turkey

Received 3 March 2009; received in revised form 31 July 2009; accepted 6 August 2009.

Abstract 

Objective

In this review, we have presented the data of our National Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NNHSP) with total 764,352 newborns those screened in last five years.

Methods

National Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NNHSP) has been conducted in Turkey since the year 2003. National Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NNHSP) had begun at the end of 2003 only in 1 center. After birth, in the third day, Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) test criteria and if necessary, auditory brain response (ABR) testing evaluation methods were applied to newborn. The children diagnosed with hearing loss were further referred for advanced treatment and rehabilitation to advanced audiologic centers.

Results

After five years of carrying out the program (between 2004 and 2008) a total number of 764,352 newborns were screened for hearing impairment. In the year 2008, National Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NNHSP) had given the chance for 2136 children with various types of hearing loss (320 with unilateral and 417 with bilateral hearing loss) to detect and refer to more experienced centers for further treatment.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that the necessity of newborn hearing screening is an indispensable issue. We have been targeted to develop National Newborn Hearing Screening Program (NNHSP) till given chance to access for every newborn in Turkey in next five years.

Keywords: Newborn, Screening, Neonatal, Hearing loss, Deafness

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PII: S0165-5876(09)00418-2

doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2009.08.002

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 73, Issue 12 , Pages 1621-1623, December 2009