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Updated: May 3, 2026
Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
An auditory health program for neonates in ICU and/or intermediate care settings
Maria Francisca Colella-Santos1, Edi Lucia Sartorato2, Tatiana Guilhermino Tazinazzio3
1UNICAMP, Curso de Fonoaudiologia.
Insights
Early infant hearing screening is crucial for development. This study found a high incidence of hearing loss in neonates, emphasizing the need for timely and universal screening before hospital discharge.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Audiology
- Public health
Background:
- Early identification and management of infant hearing loss are vital for optimal developmental outcomes.
- Auditory screening programs play a critical role in detecting hearing impairments in newborns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an Auditory Health Program for neonates in a neonatal intensive care unit.
- To analyze the incidence and types of hearing loss identified through neonatal auditory screening.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cross-sectional study involving neonates with stays of 48 hours or more in a neonatal care unit.
- Automated monitoring of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) for auditory screening at discharge.
- Referral for audiological, otorhinolaryngological, and genetic testing for neonates with abnormal BAEPs.
Main Results:
- Auditory screening reached 84.7% of live births, with 39.7% screened after 30 days of age.
- A significant incidence of hearing loss was observed (4%), including sensorineural (1.4%), auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (0.24%), and conductive hearing loss (2.2%).
- 63.8% of the screened neonates had normal hearing.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal auditory screening was not universally implemented or completed within the first month of life for many infants.
- The study highlights the necessity of timely neonatal auditory screening before discharge and potentially in multiple stages.
- A high incidence of hearing loss underscores the importance of robust screening protocols.
Unlabelled:
Auditory screening and early identification and management of patients with hearing loss improve the development prospects of infants.
Objective:
To analyze the outcomes produced by an Auditory Health Program in neonates managed in an intensive care unit.
Method:
This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled neonates referred to the neonatal care unit at hospital CAISM/Unicamp with stays lasting for 48 hours and more within a period of 13 months. Automated monitoring of brainstem auditory evoked potentials was used in the auditory screening of neonates at the time of discharge. Children with poor BAEPs were sent to undergo audiological, otorhinolaryngological, and genetic tests.
Results:
Auditory screening was performed for 84.7% of the live births; 39.7% were screened at 30 days or more of age. Diagnostic tests revealed that 63.8% of the children had normal hearing. Incidence of hearing loss was 4%; sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 1,4% of the subjects; 0.24% had auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder; and 2.2% had conductive hearing loss.
Conclusion:
Neonatal auditory screening was not offered universally, and nor was it carried out, in many cases, within the child's first month of life. Screening must be performed before neonates are discharged and in more than one stage. A high incidence of hearing loss was observed.
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