[Universal newborn hearing screening in Cantabria (Spain): results of the first two years]. / Cribado universal de la hipoacusia congénita en Cantabria: resultados de los dos primeros años.

AIMS: We present the results of the first 2 years of universal newborn hearing screening in Cantabria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a descriptive study of screening with two levels of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in 8,836 newborns, diagnostic confirmation with auditory brainstem response, and treatment. RESULTS: The coverage of the first two levels of otoacoustic emissions was 98.4 % and 99.5 %. The incidence of risk factors was 3.08 %. A total of 6.7 % of those studied in the first stage were referred to the second, and 0.7 % of those studied in the second stage were referred to testing of auditory brainstem responses. Of the patents referred to the second stage, 97.6 % attended, and of those referred to the third stage 87.1 % attended. The positive predictive value after the second session of otoemissions was 7.9 %, and the false positive rate was 3.3 %. Sensorineural and bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed in 11 children, and permanent unilateral hypoacousia was diagnosed in one child, representing an incidence of 1.38/1,000 newborns. Sixty percent were diagnosed before the age of 3 months and 100 % before the age of 7 months. Fifty percent began treatment before the age of 6 months and 90 % before the age of 1 year. Of three cochlear implants indicated, two were implanted at 11 and 13 months. The cost was 1.3 3 per child screened and 867 3 for each case diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: All the objectives of the first and second stages of screening were achieved. The continuity index anticipated for the third stage (87.1 vs 95 %) and access to treatment at 6 months (50 % vs 100 %) were less satisfactory, although these results compare favorably with those of previously published studies.

[Program of hearing loss early detection in newborn infants in Cantabria. Results of the first year of activities]. / Programa de detección precoz de la hipoacusia en neonatos en Cantabria. Resultados del primer año de funcionamiento.

AIMS: To report the findings in the first year of follow-up of the Cantabrian Program to screen newborn babies for congenital permanent hearing loss. METHODS: The study population consisted of infants born during a year period in Cantabria (Spain). Universal hearing screening by transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) in 2 stage protocol was performed. Infants with failure scores in these 2 stages and those with risk factors for hearing loss were referred for diagnostic evaluation with auditory brainstem response. Hearing aids were recommended for those infants who had bilateral hearing loss and referrals to infant speech and language rehabilitation. RESULTS: Out of the 4117 eligible babies, 3987 were studied. One hundred and ten (2.6) had risk factors for hearing loss, 3.5% were referred for audiological assessment and 1.2/1000 were diagnosed as having a permanent hearing loss. The false-positive rate was 0.72% after the two-stage screening procedure was performed. Positive predictive value for permanent hearing loss was 10%. CONCLUSIONS: During the first year working with the Cantabrian Screening Program for congenital permanent hearing loss in newborn babies, the most part of the proposed aims have been achieved.