Hearing loss in neonates and infants audiological neonatal screening : an international group experience

Abstract EN

Objective: The aim of the study has been the development of an universal screening for congenital hearing loss in the neonatal period in Europe.

Methods: 1021 infants (both healthy and sick new-borns) were screened for congenital hearing loss between September 2000 and January 2008.

All newborns were screened primarily with otoacoustic emission and otoacoustic products of distortion as first stage screening; with automated auditory brainstem response audiometry and auditory steady state responses as a second stage screening for those who failed the otoacoustic emission test.

Results: Hearing loss was confirmed in patients (5 unilateral and 6 bilateral).

The11 incidence of congenital hearing loss was 0.84% presumed healthy infants and 2.10% in infants admitted to the intensive care nursery.

Conclusions: Several protocols are available for universal newborn hearing screening programs: although otoacoustic emission is quicker and easier to perform than automated auditory brainstem response audiometry, otoacoustic emission is affected by external ear wax or fluid.

To avoid misinterpretation, we consider important combined measurements of otoacoustic emissions and otoacoustic products of distortion with automated auditory brainstem response audiometry and auditory steady state responses.

Screening for congenital hearing loss can be carried out with a very low rate of referrals and a low rate of false positive tests, particularly if there is access to otoacoustic emission as well as automated auditory brainstem response testing and auditory steady state responses.