[Newborn hearing screening test with multiple auditory steady-state responses]

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neonatal Care
• Medical Technology

Background:

• Current neonatal hearing screening methods like otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response have limitations in detecting hearing loss.
• There is a need for more effective and efficient screening tools for newborns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic performance of a semi-automated multiple auditory steady-state responses (MSSR) system for neonatal hearing screening.
• To assess the accuracy of MSSR in identifying hearing impairments in newborns.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 50 healthy newborns were tested using a semi-automated MSSR system with simultaneous 500Hz and 2,000Hz auditory stimuli.
• Auditory thresholds were determined, and screening was performed with and without simulated hearing loss conditions.
• The duration of the MSSR recording and the overall screening procedure were recorded.

Main Results:

• The mean auditory thresholds were 42.5±7dB HL at 500Hz and 35.5±6dB HL at 2,000Hz.
• The MSSR system demonstrated high diagnostic efficiency with 100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value, and 96% specificity and 96% positive predictive value.
• The average screening time per ear was 2.6 minutes, with a total procedure time of approximately 18 minutes.

Conclusions:

• The semi-automated MSSR system shows adequate diagnostic efficiency for neonatal hearing screening.
• Technological advancements are required to optimize the system for integration into universal newborn hearing screening programs.