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Auditory function at 14 years of age of very-low-birthweight
N M Davis1, L W Doyle, G W Ford
1Division of Newborn Services, Royal Women's Hospital, Carlton, Australia.
Insights
Very-low-birthweight (VLBW) children showed no significant hearing impairment at age 14. However, VLBW children experienced more central auditory processing issues, impacting academic and behavioral progress.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Very-low-birthweight (VLBW) infants face potential developmental challenges.
- Long-term audiological and neurodevelopmental outcomes require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare audiological function at 14 years of age in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) children versus normal birthweight (NBW) children.
- To assess the impact of auditory processing on cognitive and behavioral development.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study comparing VLBW (<1500g) and NBW (>2499g) children at age 14.
- Comprehensive audiological evaluations including pure tone audiometry and central auditory processing tests.
- Psychometric assessments of IQ, academic achievement, and behavior.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in hearing impairment or basic auditory measures between VLBW and NBW groups.
- VLBW children exhibited higher rates of central auditory processing problems.
- Central auditory processing deficits in VLBW children correlated with poorer intellectual, academic, and behavioral outcomes.
Conclusions:
- While basic hearing is preserved, VLBW children are at increased risk for central auditory processing difficulties.
- These auditory processing issues significantly affect neurodevelopmental trajectories in VLBW individuals.
- Early identification and intervention for auditory processing problems are crucial for VLBW children.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to determine audiological function at 14 years of age of very-low-birthweight (VLBW < or = 1500 g) children compared with a cohort of normal birthweight (NBW > 2499 g) children. Participants were consecutive surviving preterm children of birthweight < 1000 g born between 1977 and 1982 (n=86) and of birthweight 1000 to 1500 g born between 1980 and 1982 (n=124) and randomly selected NBW children born between 1981 and 1982 (n=60). Audiometric tests included pure tone audiometry, tympanometry, stapedius muscle reflexes, and measures of central auditory processing. Psychometric tests included measures of IQ, academic achievement, and behaviour. There were no significant differences in rates of hearing impairment, abnormal tympanograms, figure-ground problems, or digit recall between VLBW children and NBW control children. VLBW children had higher rates of some central auditory processing problems, which in turn were associated with poorer intellectual, academic, and behavioural progress.
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