Incidence of hearing loss in neonates at a secondary care hospital in North India—a pilot UNHS study

Abstract Background To evaluate the incidence of hearing loss in neonates in our secondary care hospital under pilot UNHS programme. To assess association between various risk factors and neonatal hearing loss. Methods Prospective, observational cohort study was done in a secondary level hospital in North India after ethical approval, for 1 year. Inclusion criteria are as follows: neonates born in hospital during study period, consenting to testing. Exclusion criteria are as follows: sick neonates, non-consenting parents. Neonates underwent TEOAE at 48 h of birth; those failing retested at 1 month. Neonates failing 2nd stage are tested after 3 months using BERA. Neonates were evaluated for the presence of maternal/neonatal high-risk factors. Results Out of 506 neonates, 143 passed 1st OAE screening, 363 were refer, and referral rate is 71.7%. A total of 341/345 neonates passed 2nd stage; 4 were diagnosed with hearing loss on BERA at 3 months. (18 neonates lost to follow-up, excluded from final cohort.) Overall incidence of hearing loss was 0.82%, 1.08% for males and 0.44% for females (p = 0.87, NS). One-hundred nine neonates were high risk (prematurity, 36; consanguinity, 4; caesarean section for relevant indications, 68; craniofacial abnormalities, 1). Incidence of hearing loss for high-risk group was 1.83% and 0.53% for well-born neonates (p = 0.19, NS). Conclusion Incidence of hearing loss in our district in North India is as follows: 8.2 per 1000 live births for well neonates, 18.3 per 1000 live births for high-risk neonates, and respective overall national incidence rates were 1.59 to 8.8 per 1000 and 7 to 49 per 1000. UNHS programmes must be implemented in all hospitals; protocol may be varied according to local population profile and resources available.