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Efferent inhibition of otoacoustic emissions in preterm neonates
Renata Mota Mamede Carvallo1, Seisse Gabriela Gandolfi Sanches2, Silvia Maria Ibidi3
1Speech Therapy Course, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (FM-USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Introduction:
Abnormalities in auditory function of newborns may occur not only because of preterm birth, but also from the use of medications and from diseases related to prematurity.
Objective:
To analyze the inhibitory effect from stimulation of the olivocochlear efferent system on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in preterm neonates, comparing these data with those from full-term neonates.
Methods:
This was a prospective, cross-sectional, contemporary cohort study with 125 neonates, pooled into two groups: full-term (72 full-term neonates, 36 females and 36 males, born at 37-41 weeks of gestational age); and preterm (53 neonates, 28 males and 25 females, born at ≤36 weeks of gestational age, evaluated at the corrected gestational age of 37-41 weeks). Otoacoustic emissions were recorded using linear and nonlinear click-evoked stimuli, with and without contralateral stimulation.
Results:
The inhibitory effect of the efferent pathway in otoacoustic emissions was different (p=0.012) between groups, and a mean reduction of 1.48dB SPL in full-term births and of 1.02dB SPL in preterm births was observed for the non-linear click-evoked stimulus.
Conclusion:
The results suggest a reduced inhibitory effect of the olivocochlear efferent system on otoacoustic emissions in preterm neonates.
