Abstract      Background: Hearing loss in Newborns should be recognized as soon as possible after birth. If gone undetected, it affects the proper development of the central auditory nervous system because of lack of stimulation. Universal newborn hearing screening is the best method to reduce the number of undetected cases of congenital hearing loss. Aims and Objectives: 1) Hearing screening of 300 infants using DPOAEs. 2) To study the percentage of hearing loss in high risk and no risk infants. Materials and Methods: Irrespective of the risk factors 300 newborn babies were screened using DPOAEs (Distortion product otoacoustic emissions). After 4-6weeks second screening was done for all refer cases. Cases showing refer results after second screening were sent for BERA testing. Results and Observations: Out of 300 infants 26(8.6%) were high risk and 274(91.3%) were no risk babies. After first screening test 36 newborns showed refer result while after second screening only 3 babies showed refer result. Hearing loss is seen as 0.36% in no risk group while 8% in high risk group. Conclusion: Distortion product otoacoustic emissions are the cost effective hearing screening method if repeated after 4-6 weeks can reduce referral rates for BERA. DPOAEs along with BERA for confirmation of hearing loss can be effectively used as a screening tool.

Keywords: BERA, congenital hearing loss, newborn hearing screening, neonatal risk factors, otoacoustic emissions.