Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
[Analysis of TEOAE and AABR hearing screening and follow-up in NICU]
Insights
This study evaluated hearing screening in the NICU using TEOAE and AABR tests. A high prevalence of hearing loss was found in followed-up infants, with hyperbilirubinemia as a key risk factor.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Audiology
- Public health
Context:
- Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) are critical care environments for vulnerable infants.
- Early identification of hearing loss in newborns is crucial for developmental outcomes.
- Standard hearing screening methods include Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE) and Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR).
Purpose:
- To assess the effectiveness of TEOAE and AABR hearing screening and follow-up protocols in a NICU setting.
- To determine the prevalence of hearing loss among NICU graduates.
- To identify risk factors associated with hearing impairment in this population.
Summary:
- A study of 574 NICU cases utilized TEOAE and AABR screening upon admission and at one month. Of 102 infants with abnormal initial screenings, 33 attended follow-up, revealing 12 cases of hearing loss.
- The overall passing rate for hearing screening was 82.2%, with a significant prevalence of hearing loss (36.4%) in the followed-up group.
- Common reasons for lost follow-up included parental misunderstanding, perceived lack of need, and competing health concerns.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of robust follow-up mechanisms for NICU infants with abnormal hearing screens.
- Identifies hyperbilirubinemia as a significant risk factor for hearing loss in NICU patients.
- Underscores the need for improved parental education and engagement to reduce high rates of lost follow-up in hearing screening programs.
Objective:
To study the results of TEOAE and AABR hearing screening and follow-up in NICU.
Method:
Total 574 cases in NICU were included in this study, all cases received both TEOAE and AABR hearing screening while admission and rescreening when one-month-old. The cases that were abnormal on either test in rescreening were asked to return for diagnostic tests at 3 moths old. The patients who didn't return as required in 3 months were surveyed by call and analyzed.
Result:
Among 574 cases, 472 cases passed both TEOAE and AABR hearing screening while admission. While 102 cases had abnormal test results in either screening test. Thirty-three cases returned for follow-up, 13 of which passed rescreening test one month after discharge, the other 20 cases had ABR diagnostic tests after 3 months. Among them, 8 cases had normal hearing, 12 cases had various degree of hearing loss. Sixty-nine cases lost follow-up. The reason of lost follow-up was as follows, parents changed phone number/contact information, parents didn't understand the screening results, parents believe that their children having no need for further testing; parents had retest in other hospitals, parents didn't pay attention to hearing loss because of other severe complicated comorbidities.
Conclusion:
The passing rate (normal) of TEOAE and AABR hearing screening in NICU was 82.2%, non- passing rate wass 17.8%, and the prevalence of hearing loss was high in those followed cases. Hyperbilirubinemia was the main risk factors of hearing loss in our NICU patients. We reviewed the reason for high rate (67.6%) of losing follow-up.
More Related Videos
14:05Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
06:04Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
Published on: March 24, 2023