[Universal hearing screening: 10,835 newborns tested in maternity wards of the geographical Department of Eure, France].

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate Universal Screening using transient evoked otoacoustic emisions (TEOAE) in the geographical Department of Eure -France.
Material and Methods: This hearing screening was initially developed at a single maternity ward (September 1999 to December 2002), and then throughout the Department (January 2003 to December 2003). One or two successive TEOAE tests were recorded. In cases of a positive test, a new TEAO was recorded at otolaryngology consultation one month later. If this test was again positive, a new consultation with brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) was scheduled. If hearing loss was suspected following BAEP, an audiometric test was performed.
Results: A total of 10,770 newborns were screened (99.38%), 65 newborns were lost to follow-up (0.59%), 18 bilateral hearing losses were identified (1.6/1000), and 5 of them had hearing loss risk factors.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a hearing screening program in the maternity ward using TEOAE is recommended and provides optimal results.