Evaluation of newborn hearing screening test results at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Hospital

Aim: To evaluate the outcomes of newborn hearing screening tests (NHS) conducted between January 2021 and July 2025 at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Hospital, the regional reference center for the national newborn hearing screening program in Türkiye, and to compare them with national and international data. Material and Methods: This retrospective study included 1,844 healthy term newborns screened using the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (A-ABR) method. Screenings were performed before discharge by an audiometrist and an otorhinolaryngologist using the Accu-screen Pro device. Infants who failed the initial test were retested after 10 days, and persistent failures underwent diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) at three months of age. Risk factors such as consanguinity, family history of hearing loss, TORCH infections, neonatal hyperbilirubinemia, and intensive care unit (ICU) stay were documented. Infants with risk factors were followed up with clinical ABR testing at six months. Data was recorded in both hospital and national databases. Results: Of the 1,844 newborns screened, 1,067 (57.9%) passed, 757 (41.1%) were referred due to risk factors, and 20 (1.1%) failed the screening test. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of hearing loss between genders (χ² = 2.06, p = 0.151). Five infants (0.28%) were diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss—two with total hearing loss requiring cochlear implantation and three who became hearing aid users. Of the infants in whom hearing loss was confirmed at our referral center, two had a positive family history of hearing loss, while three had a documented history of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay. In our study, the rate of newborns who successfully passed the screening was determined to be 99.72%. Loss to follow-up was observed in one case despite notification through official channels. Conclusion: The prevalence of neonatal hearing loss in this study (0.28%) aligns with national and international reports, supporting the effectiveness of Türkiye’s universal screening program. However, challenges such as post-screening follow-up loss remain. Continuous education of healthcare professionals and families, early intervention, and systematic monitoring of at-risk infants are essential to improve outcomes and ensure timely rehabilitation for affected children.