Predictors to a Failed Initial Routine Hearing Screening Test among Newborns

Predictors to a Failed Initial Routine Hearing Screening Test among Newborns in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center

Objective: To determine the predictors to a failed initial routine OAE hearing screening test among newborns born at Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC).

Methodology: All charts of neonates born at VSMMC regardless of the course in the ward but underwent routine initial hearing screening anytime from birth to 1 month old were included in this study. This study was conducted on two groups of patients: case (those who failed the initial OAE) and control (those who passed initial OAE). Neonatal and maternal factors were compared among the cases and controls and associations were determined.

Results: A total of 880 patient charts were reviewed and respective data were analyzed. A total of ninety one percent (91.93%) passed and eight percent (8.07%) failed the initial routine hearing screening (OAE) test. The predictors measured in this study were found to have no association towards failing the OAE test the first time.

Conclusion: This study showed that although there are numerous neonatal or maternal factors that can manifest with hearing impairment in the future, an initial routine hearing screening test is only a screening tool and failure of an initial routine test is not directly attributed to these predictors. However, further studies are needed to follow up the eight percent who failed the initial test to narrow down our true failed group. Also, prospective studies might potentially yield more accurate data and a larger population and use of a multicenter study group might increase sensitivity of study.