Abstract
<p><strong>Background:</strong> High frequency (1000 Hz) probe tone holds substantial promise for carrying out acoustic reflexes in neonates and infants. A limited number of studies indicates that acoustic reflex thresholds (ART) also change significantly with age as the newborn hearing system matures. However, there is a need for obtaining more data before using it in a clinical population. The aim was to investigate effect of age of infants on ARTs. Effect of activator signal was also explored. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> ARTs were monitored using a 1 kHz probe tone for the 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz pure tone activators in neonates and infants in the age range of 6 to 8 weeks were analysed.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: The mean ARTs for neonates were lower compared to infants. Results of repeated measure ANOVA showed that there was a statistically significant age effect. Also, ARTs for high frequency activator signals were significantly higher than the ARTs for low frequency signals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The acoustic reflexes can be elicited for 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz when monitored using a 1000 Hz probe tone. There is an effect of age and activator signal on the acoustic reflex threshold. The data obtained in the present study can serve as normative for 0-1-week neonates and 6-8-weeks infants.</p>
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have