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Assessment of Hearing in High Risk Infants, Using Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry
1Faculty, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, India.
Insights
This study found that 88% of high-risk newborns screened using Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) testing had hearing impairment. Low birth weight and hyperbilirubinemia were significantly linked to this hearing loss, underscoring the need for early screening.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Audiology
- Developmental pediatrics
Background:
- Hearing is crucial for infant development, impacting language, speech, and cognitive skills.
- Hearing impairment in children can lead to significant psychological, social, and educational challenges.
- Early identification of hearing deficits is essential to mitigate developmental delays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess hearing function in high-risk neonates utilizing Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) testing.
- To identify risk factors associated with hearing impairment in the neonatal population.
- To emphasize the importance of early hearing screening for timely intervention.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 50 high-risk infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) or presenting to the Outpatient Department (OPD).
- Hearing evaluation was performed using Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) testing over a two-year period.
- Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between hearing impairment and clinical factors like low birth weight and hyperbilirubinemia.
Main Results:
- Out of 50 high-risk infants, 44 (88%) exhibited impaired hearing thresholds via BAER.
- Low birth weight (p=0.04, OR=1.98) and hyperbilirubinemia (p=0.03, OR=1.75) showed a significant association with hearing impairment.
- Infants with multiple adverse clinical factors had a higher prevalence of elevated auditory thresholds compared to those with a single risk factor (p<0.009).
Conclusions:
- Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) screening is a valuable tool for early detection of hearing impairment in high-risk newborns.
- Prompt diagnosis through BAER facilitates timely interventions, crucial for preventing developmental delays.
- Targeted screening in neonates with risk factors such as low birth weight and hyperbilirubinemia is recommended.
Abstract:
Hearing plays a basic and important role in language, speech and intellectual development. A hearing impaired child develops psychological, social, educational and cognitive problems. The aim is to evaluate the hearing in high-risk neonates using BERA. 50 High risk admissions in the NICU and high- risk infants presenting to the OPD of our hospital for a period of 2 years were included in the study. Of the 50 high-risk infants, 44 (88%) cases had impaired BERA, remaining 6 (12%) had normal hearing threshold. LBW and hyperbilirubinemia were found to have strong relationship with hearing impairment (p value 0.04 and 0.03 respectively) and OR of 1.98 and 1.75 respectively. Elevated auditory threshold was found more frequently in infants with multiple clinical adverse factors than in those having single risk factor (36/50 vs. 8/50, p < 0.009). Proportion of infants with impaired BERA was high in infants with low birth weight and hyperbilirubinemia in exchange range. Screening by BERA at an early age is beneficial for early diagnosis of hearing impairment, so that possible interventions can be used as early as possible and prevent developmental delays in newborns.
