Table 1 Original neonatal risk factors for hearing loss in the newborn hearing screening programme

Congenital infections:

 In utero infection due to cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, herpes, rubella, and syphilis

Genetics of hearing loss:

 Family history of hereditary hearing loss

 Consanguinity in the first degree (i.e., parents are cousins)

 Head or neck malformations, and by extension each polymalformation syndrome known to include hearing loss

Maternal intoxication during pregnancy:

 Poisoning (alcohol or drugs) by the mother during pregnancy

Specific conditions of the neonate:

 Gestational age <36 weeks and/or birth weight <1,500 g

 Apgar score of 0–6 at 5 min

 Exchange transfusion (see reference curves) (hyperbilirubinaemia or Rhesus incompatibility)

Medical care:

 Neonatal intensive care unit stay >5 days

 Newborn ototoxic medication

 Assisted ventilation ≥24 h

Particular diseases:

 Neurologic disease of the newborn (e.g., meningitis, etc.)

 Endocrine disease of the newborn (e.g., thyroidal disease, etc.)