Abstract
ObjectivesThe incidence of sensorineural hearing loss is between 1 and 3 per 1000 in healthy neonates and 2–4 per 100 in high-risk infants. The national universal neonatal hearing screening carried out in Poland since 2002 enables selection of infants with suspicion and/or risk factors of hearing loss. In this study, we assessed the incidence and risk factors of hearing impairment in infants ≤33 weeks’ gestational age (wga).MethodsWe analyzed the database of the Polish Universal Newborns Hearing Screening Program from 2010 to 2013. The study group involved 11438 infants born before 33 wga, the control group—1487730 infants. Screening was performed by means of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions. The risk factors of hearing loss were recorded. Infants who failed the screening test and/or had risk factors were referred for further audiological evaluation.ResultsHearing deficit was diagnosed in 11% of infants ≤25 wga, 5% at 26–27 wga, 3.46% at 28 wga and 2–3% at 29–32 wga. In the control group the incidence of hearing deficit was 0.2% (2.87% with risk factors). The most important risk factors were craniofacial malformations, very low birth weight, low Apgar score and mechanical ventilation. Hearing screening was positive in 22.42% newborns ≤28 wga and 10% at 29–32 wga and in the control group.ConclusionsHearing impairment is a severe consequence of prematurity. Its prevalence is inversely related to the maturity of the baby. Premature infants have many concomitant risk factors which influence the occurrence of hearing deficit.
Highlights
Childhood hearing impairment is the result of the overlapping factors of genetic predisposition and environmental impact
Hearing impairment is a severe consequence of prematurity
Premature infants have many concomitant risk factors which influence the occurrence of hearing deficit
Summary
Childhood hearing impairment is the result of the overlapping factors of genetic predisposition and environmental impact. Worldwide reporting of hearing loss finds that the prevalence of moderate and severe bilateral hearing deficit (>50 dB) is 2–3 per 1000 live births in well baby nursery population and 2–4 in 100 infants in an intensive care population [1,2]. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing in 2000 listed 10 factors that identify infants at greatest risk for hearing impairment [4]. This list was updated in 2007 and such risk factors were added as treatment in the intensive care unit for more than 5 days and assisted ventilation [5]. In the questionnaire of the PUNHSP 12 risk factors are included (Table 1) [10]
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