Tone-evoked ABR in full-term and preterm neonates with normal hearing

Area of Science:

• Neonatal audiology
• Auditory electrophysiology
• Pediatric hearing screening

Background:

• Neonatal hearing screening is crucial for early detection of auditory dysfunction.
• Auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing is a standard audiological assessment.
• Establishing normative data for ABR in neonates is essential for accurate interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of tone-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
• To provide normative tone-ABR data for neonates, including preterm and full-term infants.
• To assess the reliability of tone-ABR for evaluating auditory function in neonates.

Main Methods:

• Tone-evoked ABRs were recorded from 30 preterm and 20 full-term neonates with normal peripheral auditory function.
• ABRs were elicited using 500, 1500, and 4000 Hz tone bursts at intensities from 20 to 70 dB nHL.
• Wave V latencies were analyzed and compared between groups, ears, and by gender.

Main Results:

• Tone-ABR testing was feasible and reliable in the NICU setting.
• Responses to low-intensity tone bursts (20-30 dB nHL) were detected in 97-100% of ears.
• Preterm neonates exhibited significantly longer ABR wave V latencies compared to full-term neonates.

Conclusions:

• Tone-evoked ABRs are a viable and dependable tool for neonatal hearing assessment.
• Normative tone-ABR latency data were successfully established for neonates.
• Findings highlight differences in auditory pathway maturation between preterm and full-term infants.