PURPOSE: to investigate the knowledge and valorization of early detection of hearing loss by health professionals involved in the period before and after gestation and to check the mothers' knowledge on the importance of neonatal auditory screening. METHODS: the research instrument consisted of three questionnaires with closed and specific questions for the involved professionals, including pediatricians, gynecologists, obstetricians and nurses, in addition to the mothers of newborns from a maternity ward in the city of Maringá, Paraná, during the period between January to February 2005. RESULTS: it was observed in the questionnaire completed with the doctors that 100% described having knowledge of the baby's auditory health, 69% recommended otoacoustic emissions (OAE) 82% related that within the first three months it would be the ideal period for an auditory diagnosis and just 37% knew which were the exams to be performed. Among the nurses, 78% demonstrated having knowledge on early detection of hearing loss and 67% related having trained the parents to perform the (OAE). With regard to the importance of early detection of hearing loss, 22% did not answer or did not find it important. In the questionnaire completed with the mothers, 81% described not having received counseling regarding the diseases that alter auditory development, 72% did not have any knowledge regarding early detection of hearing loss. CONCLUSION: a reduced knowledge was found to be evident in this study, with regard to the early detection of hearing loss and neonatal auditory screening, by the people involved in this research.
Neonatal Screening; Hearing; Hearing Loss
