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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Neuro-rehabilitation Approach for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Published on: January 25, 2016
[Diagnosis and following-up and analysis of pathogenesis for congenital hearing loss]
Lu-xia Gong1, Yu-jun Liu, Wen-ying Nie
1linq5310@sina.com
Insights
Congenital hearing loss affects 5.73 per thousand infants. Newborn intensive care unit (NICU) infants require auditory brainstem response (ABR) and 40 Hz auditory event-related potential (40 Hz-AERP) testing for early diagnosis and personalized intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Neonatal Screening
- Hearing Loss Etiology
Context:
- Congenital hearing loss (CHL) is a significant concern in newborns.
- Incidence varies between well-baby nurseries (WBN) and neonatal intensive care units (NICU).
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for infant development.
Purpose:
- To determine CHL incidence and identify high-risk factors in WBN and NICU infants.
- To establish effective early diagnosis, follow-up, and intervention strategies.
- To evaluate the utility of universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) and diagnostic tests.
Summary:
- A two-stage UNHS using transient otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) was implemented.
- Diagnostic tests included auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and 40 Hz auditory event-related potentials (40 Hz-AERPs).
- Incidence was 5.73/1000 overall, with 20.02/1000 in NICU and 3.67/1000 in WBN infants.
Impact:
- NICU infants, regardless of UNHS results, need ABR and 40 Hz-AERP testing.
- Follow-up is recommended for infants with abnormal ABRs or hearing loss risk factors.
- Personalized intervention strategies are essential for infants with CHL.
Objective:
To investigate the incidence and the relevant high-risk factors of congenital hearing loss for infants from well-baby nursery and newborn intensive care unit. To explore the scientific and feasible mode of early diagnosis, following-up and early intervention.
Methods:
Two-stage universal newborn hearing screening ( UNHS ) were performed by using transient otoacoustic emission ( TEOAE ). Auditory brainstem responses ( ABRs) and 40 Hz auditory event related potentials (40 Hz-AERPs) was used as diagnostic tests for those failed re-screening at three-month old. Two kinds of infants who had abnormal ABRs or high-risk factors of hearing loss received following-up and routine audiological evaluation from 6 months to 3 years of age. Each infant with congenital hearing loss received personalized intervention.
Results:
The incidence of congenital hearing loss among infants who received UNHS was 5.73 per thousand. The incidence of congenital hearing loss was 20.02 per thousand in NICU and 3.67 in WBN.
Conclusions:
Whether passed the UNHS or not , infants from NICU should receive ABR and 40 HzAERP tests. The following-up population includes infants with abnormal ABRs or high-risk factors of hearing loss. Following-up and early intervention should be personalized.
