Analysis of clinical audiology and etiology in 72 twins aged 0-4 years

Abstract

Objective:To investigate the clinical audiological characteristics of twins and analyze the risk factors for hearing loss. Method：The subjects were 72 cases,selected from our hospital otological outpatient of 0 to 4 years old twins. All subjects underwent universal newborn hearing screening and had definite results. At the same time, acoustic immittance,auditory brainstem response, auditory steady-state response, pediatric behavior audiometry and other audiological tests were carried out. Subjects were divided into two groups according to whether with high risk factors for hearing loss: 42 patients(58.33%) in group A(risk factor group) and 30 patients(41.67%) in group B (no risk factor group).The results of universal newborn hearing screening(UNHS),hearing diagnosis, degree of hearing loss, type of hearing curve and risk factors categories of hearing loss were analyzed for both groups of subjects.Result:In 72 cases,41 were males and 31 were females. Thirty-one were the first born and 41 were the second born. Age distribution of first visit:3 to 40 months, median age: 4-6 months.Forty-seven(65.27%) failed in the UNHS. The failing rate was higher in group A(76.19%) than in group B(50.00%).Fifty(69.44%) were diagnosed with hearing loss.78.57% of hearing loss was diagnosed in group A, which was higher than that in group B(56.67%).The degree of hearing loss in group A was mainly profound(43.55%) and group B was moderate(48.00%).The differences above all was statistically significant.For the hearing curve type, group A(35.48%) and group B(40.00%) were both mainly flat-type, the difference was not statistically significant. In 72 cases, there were 42 cases(58.33%) with risk factors for hearing loss, of which 38.1% had two or more kinds of risk factors and 61.9% had one kind of risk factor.Hyperbilirubinemia was the major risk factor(34.92%).Conclusion:69.44% of twins had a confirmed hearing loss. Those with risk factors had higher failing rate of UNHS and more serious hearing loss.58.33% of twins had risk factors for hearing loss, and individuals with two or more kinds of risk factors were much more. Hyperbilirubinemia takes the first place and should be paid enough attention by clinicians.