MB11 BERAphone) hearing screening compared to ALGOportable in a Dutch NICU: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neonatal care
• Audiology
• Medical device technology

Background:

• Automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) screening is standard for newborns in Dutch Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) since 2001, primarily using the ALGOportable device.
• A newer AABR device, the MB11 BERAphone, offers potential advantages including faster response acquisition and reduced costs due to its algorithm and lack of disposable ear couplers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the test results and suitability of the MB11 BERAphone against the ALGOportable, a recognized reference AABR screening test.
• To evaluate the MB11 BERAphone's performance in newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 54 NICU graduates (55 infants, 110 ears) was conducted.
• Hearing screening tests were performed on all participants using both the MB11 BERAphone and the ALGOportable.
• Test time was meticulously recorded from the start of the procedure until a bilateral result (pass/refer) was achieved for each device.

Main Results:

• Congruent results were obtained in 104 out of 107 ears (97%).
• The MB11 BERAphone demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 97% specificity when compared to the ALGOportable.
• Mean test time for the MB11 BERAphone (11.4 min) was slightly shorter than for the ALGOportable (13.9 min), though not statistically significant (p<0.08).

Conclusions:

• The MB11 BERAphone is a reliable and feasible hearing screening tool for NICU graduates in a NICU setting.
• The MB11 BERAphone presents a potentially more cost-effective and efficient alternative to the ALGOportable for newborn hearing screening.