[Screening for hearing loss in newborns at Turku University Central Hospital].
BACKGROUND
Since 2005 all newborns at Turku University Central Hospital, Finland have been screened for hearing loss with two-stage procedure (otoacoustic emission and automated auditory brainstem response).


METHODS
We reviewed medical records of all newborns screened for hearing loss in 2006-2008. Costs of the screening were estimated.


RESULTS
12011 newborns were screened. In 12 newborns moderate to severe bilateral hearing defect was detected. The incidence of hearing defect was 0.06% among healthy newborns and 0.8% among very preterm infants. Costs of the two-stage screening were 26% lower than those of the one-stage model.


CONCLUSIONS
Two-stage screening for hearing improved identification of newborns with hearing loss in a cost-effective manner.
TYKS:n korva-, nenä- ja kurkkutautien kIinikka, kuulokeskus.
Hanni
H
Sahlberg
Jaakko
J
Salonen
Satu
S
Jääskeläinen
Helena
H
Lapinleimu
D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D017084:Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous