Regional differences of Turkey in risk factors of newborn hearing loss.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to discover Turkish regional differences in the risk factors of newborn hearing loss. METHOD: A multi-centered retrospective design was used. A total of 443 children, registered to the national newborn hearing screening programme, with bilateral hearing loss, from five different regions of Turkey, were evaluated in terms of the types of hearing loss, the degree of hearing loss, the types of risk factors, parental consanguinity, age at diagnosis and age of auditory intervention, respectively. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of hearing loss between regions (χ2 = 3.210, P = 0.523). Symmetric Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) was the most common type of HL in all regions (91.8%). Profound HL was the most common degree of HL in all regions (46.2%). There were statistically significant differences between regions in terms of types of HL (χ2 = 14.151, P = 0.000). As a total, 323 (72.9%) of subjects did not have any risk factors. There were statistically significant differences between regions in terms of the types of risk factors (pre, peri and post-natal) for SSNHL (χ2 = 16.095, P = 0.000). For all regions, the age of diagnosis was convenient with the JCIH criteria. However the age of hearing aid application was prolonged in some regions. There were statistically significant differences between regions in terms of the age of diagnosis (χ2 = 93.570, P = 0.000) and the age of auditory intervention (χ2 = 47.323, P = 0.000). The confounding effects of gender, age of diagnosis, age of hearing aids applications, HL in the family, types of risk factors for HL on SSNHL were detected. CONCLUSION: To reach the goal of a high quality newborn hearing screening, there is a need to develop an evidence-based standard for follow up guideline. In addition, risk factors should be re-evaluated according to regional differences and all regions should take their own precautions according to their evidence based data.

Features of unilateral hearing loss detected by newborn hearing screening programme in different regions of Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Newborn hearing screening (NHS) works well for babies with bilateral hearing loss. However, for those with unilateral loss, it has yet to be established some standard rules like age of diagnose, risk factors, hearing loss degree. The aim of this study is to identify the demographic characteristics of newborns with unilateral hearing loss to obtain evidence based data in order to see what to be done for children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL). METHOD: Newborn hearing screening data of 123 babies with unilateral hearing loss, 71 (57.7%) male and 52 (42.3%) female, were investigated retrospectively. Data provided from the archives of six referral tertiary audiology centers from four regions in Turkey. Data, including type of hearing loss; age of diagnosis; prenatal, natal and postnatal risk factors; familial HL and parental consanguinity was analyzed in all regions and each of the Regions 1-4 separately. RESULT: The difference between data obtained in terms of gender and type of hearing loss was detected as statistically significant (p<0.05). While UHL was significantly higher in females at Region 1, and in males at other Regions of 2-4; SNHL was the most detected type of UHL in all regions with the rate of 82.9-100.0%. There were not significant differences between regions in terms of the degree of hearing loss, presence of risk factors, family history of hearing loss, age at diagnosis and parental consanguinity (p>0.05). Diagnosis procedure was completed mostly at 3-6 months in Region 4; whereas, in other regions (Regions 1-3), completion of procedure was delayed until 6 months-1 year. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that the effect of postnatal risk factors, i.e. curable hyperbilirubinemia, congenital infection and intensive care is relatively high on unilateral hearing loss, precautions should be taken regarding their prevention, as well as physicians and other health personnel should be trained in terms of these risks. For early and timely diagnosis, families will be informed about hearing loss and NHS programme; will be supported, including financial support of diagnosis process. By dissemination of the NHS programme to the total of country by high participation rate, risk factors can be determined better and measures can be increased. Additionally, further studies are needed with more comprehensive standard broad data for more evidence based consensus.

Examination of cyberbullying experiences among Turkish students from different school types.

The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of cyberbullying experiences among public and private school students in Turkey. One hundred eighty-three participants between the ages of 14 and 15 were recruited for the study. Participants were asked to respond to questionnaires measuring demographic information, usage frequency of Internet-mediated communication tools (IMCT), and cyberbullying experience (as a victim and as a bully). Participants who reported cyberbullying victimization were also asked how they felt and whether they sought help after such experiences. Results indicated that public school students were more likely than private school students to report being cyberbullies and cybervictims despite that private school students were more likely than public school students to report more frequent usage of IMCT. The findings of the logistic regression analyses indicated that usage frequency of IMCT was a significant predictor of cyberbullying/victimization for public school students but not for private school students. While victims from private school revealed that they did not mind the cyberbullying experience because they thought it was a joke, victims from public school reported that they felt angry when they experienced cyberbullying. Both public and private schools indicated that friends were their first choice for help.