[Evoked otoacoustic emissions as a screening test for hearing evaluation in newborn and premature infants?]

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE) for the screening of infant hearing. EOAE and brainstem-evoked response audiometry (BERA) were performed in 40 infants at a special care unit at the Universitäts-Klinik, Göttingen. Both examinations were performed under non-optimal conditions, reflecting a realistic screening situation. The purpose was to determine robust analysis criteria and possible error sources. A comparison of both tests shows that sensitivity and specificity are insufficient for reliable screening. The EOAE test does not yield the threshold of hearing. There is no sharp boundary with the BERA threshold for the detectability of an EOAE. Sensitivity and specificity have not been accurately determined so far due to the relatively small number of infants with impaired hearing tested. Nevertheless, the results show that EOAE should be applied as a supplement to conventional audiometry for infants. It is capable of excluding conductive and severe cochlear hearing losses and is by itself not a reliable screening test.