The realization of the auditory universal neonatal hearing screening program during 2002-2008 in the Department of Phoniatrics and Audiology at the Medical University in Poznan

Introduction: Since Autumn 2002, a Program of Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS) has been introduced to whole Poland. It includes 3 diagnostic levels. The first one takes place in all (c.500) neonatological units in Poland. Over 98% of newborns have been examined (over 1,000,000 ). Infants at about 3 months of age enter the second level of the Program. Over 50 audiological council centres organize this level of the Program. Infants are examined during 1-day hospitalization. The third level aims to fit with hearing aids early (before 6 months) and to begin with rehabilitation. When the profound hearing loss is diagnosed, the qualifications for cochlear implants starts. The UNHS Program has been initiated and partly sponsored by the Foundation of Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. Aim: The aim of this study is to show our findings of hearing ability in infants examined in the Department of Phoniatrics and Audiology in Poznan. All the babies were examined by The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program during 2002-2007 in second and third level. Material: 2500 children have been admitted to the Department of Phoniatrics and Audiology. They were referred from neonatological wards with refer results or because of risk factors of hearing loss in the anamnesis. The methods of audiological examinations were: DPOAE, impedance audiometry and ABR. Results: 3382 of DPOAE tests, 1753 of ABR tests and 1020 impedance tests were performed. Children were divided into 2 groups: 1. with pass result in DPOAE, without risk factors of hearing disorder in anamnesis; 2. with refer result or with risk factors of hearing disorder. Infants from the second group had the impedance audiometry and ABR tests performed (cross check principle) to state the hearing threshold and define the type of hearing loss. 8.7% (218) children were fitted with a hearing aid; 2.6% (65) children qualified to the Cochlear Implants Program and 2.4% (59) of them underwent the cochlear implant surgery 0.8% (22) of these were before the second year of their lives. The detailed results of the hearing screening examinations are: binaural conductive hypoacusis was diagnosed in 6%, unilateral perceptive hearing loss in 2.8% and bilateral perceptive hearing loss in 3.6%. In three cases we diagnosed neuropathy of 8th nerve. In 87.6% of children examined in 2nd level of Newborn Screening hearing disorders were not confirmed