The Effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Epidemic on the Applicability and Results of Neonatal Hearing Screening

Objective: The aim of this study is to reveal the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 infection on newborn hearing screening test results and to determine the feasibility of the newborn hearing screening program during the epidemic. Methods: The files of pregnant women who gave birth in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Infants were divided into 2 groups according to whether they were born to mothers with or without coronavirus disease 2019. Two groups were compared in terms of newborn hearing screening test results. Results: There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of second screening test results in both ears (P=.472 and P=.699). The rate of refer from the second screening test in the right ear was found to be significantly higher in those who had coronavirus disease 2019 infection during delivery, compared to those who had it in the second and third trimesters. The rate of refer from the second screening test in the severe coronavirus disease 2019 infection patients was found to be significantly higher than the mild coronavirus disease 2019 infection patients. Conclusions: The timing and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 infection during pregnancy may affect the newborn hearing screening test results. Also, not only directly but also indirectly the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic may affect hearing screening test applicability, causing children with hearing loss to be overlooked. Cite this article as: Yücel H, İncesu Çintesun F, Öksöz E, Yücel A. The effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic on the applicability and results of neonatal hearing screening. B-ENT. 2023;19(3):175-179.