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Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
Transient infantile auditory neuropathy and its clinical implications
Ioannis Psarommatis1, Maria Riga, Konstantinos Douros
1ENT Department, P. & A. Kyriakou, Childrens Hospital of Athens, Thivon and Levadia St, 11527 Goudi, Athens, Greece. ipsarommatis@hotmail.com
International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|June 14, 2006
Summary
Auditory neuropathy (AN) can be transient in high-risk neonates, particularly those with low birth weight. Early hearing screening protocols for neonates may need revision based on these findings.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Audiology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Auditory neuropathy (AN) is a recognized clinical condition.
- Epidemiology, etiology, and prognosis of AN remain largely unknown.
- This study focuses on the transient nature of AN in high-risk neonates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transient behavior of auditory neuropathy (AN) in high-risk neonates.
- To identify clinical implications of transient AN.
- To explore predictors of recovery in affected infants.
Main Methods:
- Auditory brain stem responses (ABR) and otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) were used for audiological evaluation.
- 1150 high-risk neonates were screened between 1995 and 2004.
- Infants with AN findings were scheduled for follow-up evaluations.
Main Results:
- 25 out of 177 neonates with elevated ABR thresholds were diagnosed with AN.
- AN resolved in 13 of 20 retested infants.
- Low birth weight was identified as a predictor for clinical recovery.
Conclusions:
- Auditory neuropathy can be temporary in high-risk neonates, especially those with lower birth weight.
- Higher birth weight correlates with a lower likelihood of AN recovery.
- Hearing screening protocols and intervention timing for high-risk neonates require re-evaluation.
