Distortion product otoacoustic emissions in very preterm infants: A longitudinal study

Very preterm infants are at a greater risk of developing neurodevelopmental impairments such as neuro-motor delays, vision and hearing deficits (Roze and Breart, 2004; Saigal and Doyle, 2008) [1,2]. The hearing difficulties in preterm infants vary depending on the co-morbid conditions. However, prematurity itself is considered as a risk factor that influence the functioning of auditory system.

The current study aims to compare the DPOAEs in very preterm infants and term infants at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months of age (corrected age in preterm infants).

DPOAEs were recorded in 72 very preterm infants and 30 term infants at 1 month, 3 months and 6 months of age. All these infants had obtained 'pass' results in newborn hearing screening using ABR. DPOAE f2 test frequency was measured at six frequencies (1500 Hz, 2000 Hz, 3000 Hz, 4500 Hz, 6000 Hz and 8000 Hz) with primary tone stimulus intensity L1 equal to 65 dBSPL and L2 equal to 55 dBSPL with primary tone f2/f1 frequency ratio of 1.2. Otoscopic examination and tympanometry was performed prior to DPOAE testing, to ascertain normal middle ear status.

DPOAE amplitude did not change significantly between two groups from 1 month till 6 months of age (p > 0.05). DPOAE amplitude and noise floor in very preterm infants were not different from term infants and DPOAE amplitude did not vary significantly across f2 frequencies at various time periods.

The current study findings provided evidence that prematurity did not constitute as a factor to influence the results of DPOAE in very preterm infants who passed newborn hearing screening test. Any significant reduction in DPOAE amplitude or absence of DPOAE in very preterm infants has to be considered and monitored effectively, as it may not reflect a developmental process of cochlear function; instead it could indicate the presence of inner ear or middle ear pathology.