Retrospective analysis of prognostic determinants of neonatal hearing loss: an Indian experience in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Childhood hearing impairment is a result of combination of intrauterine environment, perinatal and postnatal factors. The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) has been providing guidelines for early detection of infants with or at risk of hearing loss. In India, UNHSP (Universal neonatal hearing screening program) as a part of NPPCD (National Program for Prevention and Control of Deafness) is a strategy that enables to identify congenital deafness and hearing loss. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out of a database of newborn hearing screening at a tertiary care hospital of New Delhi, India. The screening results, the risk indicators for hearing loss, diagnosis and the prognosis were descriptively analysed. Results: 3640 neonates were included in the study between January 2021 and November 2023. It was observed that, of the 25 babies diagnosed with hearing loss the common risk factors were low birth weight with preterm delivery, hyperbilirubinemia, low birth weight, preterm delivery, NICU stay>05 days and syndromes. Conclusions: UNHSP (Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening Program) aids in early diagnosis of hearing loss using DPOAE (distortion product otoacoustic emission) and BERA (brainstem evoked response audiometry) and significantly reduces the referral rate. Babies with hyperbilirubinemia, preterm delivery and low birth weight have a poor prognosis and are at a higher risk for neonatal hearing loss as per our study. Hearing augmentation in early years of life reduces morbidity and aids better quality of life.