To evaluate the noise levels in the neonatal intensive care unit and discuss their suitability for neonatal hearing screening environment, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in nine neonatal intensive care units in Bursa during June 2015. Sound intensity level measurements were recorded each 10 seconds for 15 minutes, at 1 hour before, during and 1 hour after breastfeeding of neonates between 8 am and 5 pm. Recordings showed that the sound levels of all ICUs of nine hospitals are above 40 dB, the limits of National Noise Regulation Standards. Our study reveals that neonatal intensive care unit environment is not suitable for neonatal hearing screening test administration; with false positive results. This may cause adverse effects on family, the physicians and national economy.

Keywords: intensive care unit, newborn hearing screening, noise