Abstract
We encountered examples of hearing-impaired infants wearing hearing aids in whom the result of the newborn screening test for hearing had been “Pass”. Out of 112 infants covered in the study, 60 had undergone the screening test. The result was “Pass” in 10 of these infants, which was 8.9% of total number of infants covered in the study, and 16.7% of the total number of infants who had been subjected to screening. As compared to the findings in the infants who were referred or the infants who had not undergone the risk-free screening test, the first medical examination and age at the start of use of hearing aids was significantly higher in the infants who had passed the test. In regard to the infants who had passed the screening test, it can be said that neither the parents nor the persons involved in the testing appeared to have sufficient understanding, which led to delayed detection of the hearing impairment in these infants. Moreover, in infants at the risk of familial deafness, the screening result was preferred over the risk. In regard to handling of infants at a risk of familial deafness or explanation for infants who had passed the screening test, it is necessary to consider ways to improve the screening method.
