Related Experiment Videos
[Evaluation of a linear TEOAE protocol in hearing screening of neonates: feasibility study]
G Pelosi1, S Hatzopoulos, R Chierici
1Servizio di Audiologia, Università di Ferrara.
Insights
Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) are crucial for newborn hearing screening. This study refined TEOAE screening protocols, improving accuracy and reducing false positives for better infant audiological diagnostics.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neonatal screening
- Otoacoustic emissions
Background:
- Congenital and genetic hearing loss in newborns can lead to significant psycholinguistic and socialization challenges.
- Early audiological screening is vital for timely intervention and management of hearing impairments.
- Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) are a key indicator of cochlear function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and assess a preliminary protocol for audiological screening of neonates using TEOAEs.
- To enhance the feasibility and reliability of newborn hearing screening programs.
- To compare the effectiveness of linear (L) and non-linear (NL) TEOAE recording methods.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 347 newborns, screened on their second day of life during spontaneous sleep.
- Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) were recorded using both linear (L) and non-linear (NL) modes with the ILO 92 system.
- Statistical comparison of 9 response parameters between L-TEOAE and NL-TEOAE methods was performed.
Main Results:
- A significant difference in TEOAE quality was observed between the linear and non-linear methods.
- The linear method, utilizing a function-window and improved signal-to-noise ratio, showed distinct results.
- Response reliability was not significantly altered by the method used, but broader evaluation criteria for the linear method were defined.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests refining TEOAE screening protocols to increase system specificity and reduce false positives.
- Adjusting evaluation criteria for linear TEOAE responses can improve diagnostic accuracy and lessen parental anxiety.
- Optimized TEOAE screening protocols are essential for effective early detection of hearing loss in newborns.
Abstract:
The audiological screening of newborns based on recording TEOAEs--the expression of anatomical-functional integrity of the cochlea--has unanimously gained importance. The prevalence of severe of genetic or congenital hearing loss in the healthy infant population and in the population at risk for audiological disorders, as well as the consequent psycholinguist and socialization problems such children have to deal with, have led the authors to set up a preliminary protocol for the audiological screening of neonates. The purpose of this protocol is to improve the feasibility of applying such a program. To this purpose, the preliminary protocol called for the recording of the TEOAE in both non linear (NL) and linear (L) modes. Examination was performed in 347 newborns (30% of all the children born during 1997) the second day of life and during spontaneous sleep. The ILO 92 was used for the screening. The results obtained with the two methods were statistically compared using the 9 parameters considered response indicators. Using the linear method of a function-window and improving the signal-to-noise ratio, the study showed a significant difference in the quality of the TEOAE using the linear method as compared with the non linear method, although this did not modify response reliability. This lead to the definition, through free distribution statistical analysis, of broader than normal criteria by which to evaluate the responses evoked with the L method. All this is aimed at increasing system specificity and reducing the number of false positives which feeds family anxiety.