LAUSR

ObjectiveThe reasons of failure to follow-up for the Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening (UNHS) program were delineated.MethodsReview of case records for data related to follow-up of neonates who underwent the UNHS between February 2012 - January 2015.Results2534 neonates underwent primary screening with Distortion Product Oto-acoustic Emission (DPOAE). 14 (26.9%) were lost to follow-up between the first and second DPOAE screenings. 275 neonates (including high-risk cases) were to undergo confirmatory Brain Evoked Response Audiometry testing out of which 201 (73.4%) came for follow-up. Out of 74 who failed to follow-up (including those lost between first and second DOPAE screenings), unwillingness and non-compliance was the commonest reason.ConclusionIncreasing awareness and counseling of the caretaker are important interventions for ensuring good follow-up in hearing screening programs.