The Outcomes of a Two-Stage Otoacustic Emissions / Auditory Brainstem Response Newborn Hearing Screening in Albania 2009-2011

Universal neonatal hearing screening Project started in Albania for the first time in January 2009. It was made possible by the support of Magis, an Italian NGO, as a grant of Italian government to the Albanian health system. The incidence of permanent congenital hearing impairment (PCHI) is the highest among all the congenital diseases well known worldwide. It ranges from 1-3 hearing impaired children for 1000 births per year. This prevalence increases if we take into account the progressive and acquired hearing losses that continues to rise until the age of 9 years old. The early diagnosis of PCHI is essential in preventing the irreversible consequences in the speech development of the chidren born with this handicap. use it or lose it- Sinninger, Doyle & Moore, 1999. Early interruption of the sensor stimuli in the auditory system, is followed by morphological and functional damage of the neurons. This damage can be prevented only by early stimulation of the auditory system within a sensitive period.