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Updated: Sep 11, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
[Hearing disorders screening in neonates at risk]
1Kresge Hearing Research Laboratory of the South LSU Medical Center, 2020 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Insights
Early hearing screening for high-risk newborns using otoacoustic emissions and auditory evoked potentials is crucial. This study identified a 0.9% incidence of definite hearing loss, emphasizing the need for continued neonatal hearing assessments.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal audiology
- Pediatric hearing screening
- Otoacoustic emissions and auditory evoked potentials
Background:
- Neonatal hearing loss affects 1-6 per 1000 live births.
- Early identification and intervention are critical for language and cognitive development.
- High-risk neonates require targeted hearing screening protocols.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a multi-stage hearing screening protocol in high-risk neonates.
- To determine the incidence of definite hearing loss in this population.
- To assess the diagnostic yield of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) and brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) tests.
Main Methods:
- A three-year, eight-month screening of 1,531 high-risk neonates.
- Two successive transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) recordings.
- Brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) recording and otolaryngology (ORL) consultation for suspected cases.
Main Results:
- 11% of neonates were suspected of hearing loss after TEOAE and BAEP testing.
- 58 infants showed bilateral and 26 unilateral impairment.
- A 0.9% incidence of definite hearing loss was diagnosed by ORL, with a mean age of diagnosis at 9.9 months.
Conclusions:
- Early hearing loss screening in at-risk neonates is effective and should be pursued.
- The implemented protocol successfully identified neonates with hearing impairment.
- Auditory risk factors are more prevalent in children with hearing loss.
Abstract:
The present report concerns a three year, eight month hearing screening in 1 531 high-risk neonates by means of two successive transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) recordings followed, cin cases of suspected hearing loss, by brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) recording and otolaryngology (ORL) consultation. After TEOAE1 and 2 and BAEP testing, 1 361 infants (88.9%) were declared normal, and 170 (11%) suspected of hearing loss. Of these 170, 58 showed bilateral and 26 unilateral impairment. Definite hearing loss on ORL consultation was diagnosed in 14 infants (0.9% of the screened population as a whole); 22 are still followed, while 86 (5.6%) failed to consult for diagnosis. The mean age on diagnosis of definite hearing loss on ORL consultation was 9.9 +/- 4.9 (range 4-20) months. Several auditory function risk factors have been proved to be more frequent in deaf than in normal children. Our results show that early hearing loss screening in at-risk neonates needs to be pursued.
