A study of otoacoustic emission and brainstem evoked response audiometry as audiological assessment modalities for early detection of hearing loss in children

Abstract

Background: Aim of the research was to study the incidence of hearing loss in high risk children up to 5 years age and determine the common etiological factors associated with it. Methods: Total 140 neonates falling under the norms of inclusion criteria and the children brought by parents with suspicion of having impaired hearing were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical examination followed by audiological examination in the form of otoacoustic emission (OAE) and brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA). Those showing REFER or FAIL were subjected to BERA. Results were documented accordingly and analysed for identifying the common risk factors and degree of hearing loss. Results: Maximum number of subjects with hearing loss were in the age group of 25-36 months age. Most common risk factor found was Consanguinity and most common postnatal risk factor was found to be hyperbilirubinemia. When compared to BERA, sensitivity of DPOAE was 97.59%, and the specificity was 92.98%. Conclusions: Universal hearing screening of neonates at birth in the form of DPOAE and followed by BERA can reduce the average age of diagnosis of hearing loss and therefore, can provide an opportunity to initiate an appropriate rehabilitative program.