[Universal newborn hearing screening in Marien Hospital Hamburg from September 1999 till April 2002].
BACKGROUND
With a prevalence of 5 in 1000 newborns with a hearing disorder, the congenital hearing disorders apparently constitute a serious health problem. The aim of this study was the introduction of a universal newborn hearing screening at our clinic. We also investigated if a universal screening only on parents' demand is possible.


METHODS
From September 1999 to April 2002 a total of 3049 newborns, delivered at the Marien Hospital in Hamburg 97 %, were screened with the Echo-Screen TE (Fischer-Zoth).


RESULTS
Only 2 of the 3049 screened infants showed signs of severe sensori-neural hearing loss. Both children belonged to high risk groups. During the period of the parental request for an investigation only 10.4 % of the newborn were screened compared to 97 % newborns during the universal newborn hearing screening.


CONCLUSIONS
By measurement of TEOAE alone, we found a significantly lower incidence of hearing disorders than reported in literature; it may therefore not be sufficient for screening. Universal newborn hearing screening only performed on parents' demand seems to be impossible to conduct. Also before establishing a universal newborn hearing screening, cost allocation has to be solved.
Kehrl
W
W
Klinik und Ambulatorium für HNO-Krankheiten, Kopf-, Hals- und plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Marienkrankenhaus in Hamburg.
Geidel
K
K
Wilkens
L M
LM
Löhler
J
J
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003638:Deafness / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted