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ABR-based newborn hearing screening with MB11 BERAphone® using an optimized chirp for acoustical stimulation
Mario Cebulla1, Wafaa Shehata-Dieler
1Comprehensive Hearing Center (CHC), Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Head and Neck Surgery, Julius Maximilian-University Hospitals, Würzburg, Germany. mario.cebulla@mail.uni-wuerzburg.de
The Maico MB11 BERAphone(®) device reliably screens newborn hearing using Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR). This optimized chirp stimulus and automated detection method achieved a 97.3% bilateral pass rate in over 6,800 infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal audiology
- Hearing screening technologies
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing
Background:
- Newborn hearing screening is crucial for early detection of hearing impairment.
- The Maico MB11 BERAphone(®) device utilizes Auditory Brainstem Responses (ABR) for screening.
- Optimized chirp stimulus and automated detection algorithms were implemented to enhance screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the effectiveness of the Maico MB11 BERAphone(®) with updated features.
- To evaluate screening results from a large cohort of newborns.
- To assess the reliability and efficiency of the ABR screening method.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 6866 infants screened between March 2006 and April 2011.
- Two-stage screening protocol implemented in a well-baby nursery setting.
- Exclusion of data from at-risk babies to focus on routine screening.
Main Results:
- A pre-discharge bilateral pass rate of 96.2% was observed.
- The overall bilateral pass rate after re-screening was 97.3%, with a 2.7% referral rate.
- The device demonstrated a specificity of 97.9% and a potential sensitivity of 100% in this study.
Conclusions:
- The Maico MB11 BERAphone(®) is a reliable tool for newborn hearing screening.
- The device provides rapid results and does not necessitate an experienced audiologist.
- Automated ABR detection allows utilization by trained technicians in various clinical settings.
