BACKGROUND In this study, we wanted to determine the occurrence of hearing impairment by screening high risk neonates, to assess the high-risk factors associated with hearing impairment among newborns, to evaluate maternal risk factors associated with hearing impairment in newborn. METHODS This was a hospital based prospective observational study conducted among 400 neonates to create awareness and fulfil the need of screening of newborn to pick up the deaf child at the earliest and institute a protocol for early intervention, presenting at District Hospital, Tumkur, from June 2023 to November 2023, after obtaining clearance from institutional ethics committee and written informed consent from the study participants. RESULTS Among the neonates 27.40% belonged to VLBW and 28.8% belonged to LBW. The remaining neonates 43.80% were with birth weight >2500 g. In our study, 52.20% of the neonates were born at the gestational age of 37–41 weeks, 27% between 32 and 36 weeks, and 20.80% were born before 32 weeks. According to mode of delivery, majority of the cases were LSCS mode (52.2%) and remaining were NVD (47.8%). APGAR at 1 min 62% had score of 4-6, and 38% has APGAR score in 7-10 range. At APAGR at 5 min 13% had score of 4-6, and 87% has APGAR score in 7-10 range. The correlation between low APGAR scores and OAE results was statistically significant (p = 0.002 at 1 min and p=0.033 at 5 min). Out of 386 neonates, hearing loss was confirmed in 14 neonates (3.5%) by BERA. Risk factors, birth asphyxia(p=0.028), VLBW(p=0.04) and Hyperbilirubinemia (p=0.04) were highly statistically significant association with hearing loss. CONCLUSION Early detection and intervention in the form of hearing aids, cochlear implant and other forms of rehabilitation will enable the person to lead a normal life and integrate into the mainstream. Late detection of hearing loss and delay in intervention can lead to deaf mutism and the social and economic consequences of this are enormous on the person, family and the country.

Hearing screening, high risk neonates, NICU