The newborn (NB) population is divided into two groups: not-at-risk NBs and at-risk NBs. In the first case we carry out acoustic otoemissions (AOEs) 48 h after birth and depending on the result the child is either discharged or, in negative cases, the infant undergoes a series of tests in a period of 30–45 days to confirm or rule out the existence of hearing anomalies.
In the at-risk group we combine AOEs with brain trunk potentials (BERA) following the stages in a decision tree diagram similar to the ones for not-at-risk children in order to provide a clinical diagnosis in the first three months of life.
The screening performance was assessed for the 156,122 children studied, of which 151,258 belonged to the group of not-at-risk children; and 4864 to the group at risk of hypoacusia. As a result of the screening only 410 (0.26%) were sent to consultation, 213 in the not-at-risk group (0.14%) and 197 (24.7%) in the at-risk group. A total of 7452 false positives were identified (4.7%), 6951 (4.5%) in the not-at-risk group; and 501 (10.3%) in the group with risk factors; and there were 53 false negatives (0.03%). Sensitivity in the screening program was 88.5%, with a specificity of 95%.
The Region of Murcia has a Newborn Hearing Screening Program with tests that provide a high level of sensitivity and specificity in accordance with the findings of the literature. Our results endorse the program and the patients were treated in a way that met the objective of providing a correct diagnosis and the appropriate therapeutic action.