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Hearing threshold in preterm and term infants by auditory brainstem response
The Journal of Pediatrics
|October 1, 1985
Summary
Newborn hearing thresholds improve with gestational age, with term infants showing better hearing than preterm infants. This study establishes a baseline for early hearing loss assessment in neonates.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal audiology
- Developmental neuroscience
- Pediatric audiology
Background:
- Early detection of hearing impairment is crucial for infant development.
- Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) are a reliable method for assessing hearing in newborns.
- Establishing normative hearing data in neonates is essential for identifying hearing deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine hearing thresholds in preterm and term newborn infants.
- To establish a baseline for objective hearing assessment in the neonatal period.
- To investigate the relationship between gestational age and hearing sensitivity.
Main Methods:
- Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) were used to measure hearing thresholds.
- Infants were assessed within the first week of life.
- Neurologically optimal infants were selected based on clinical criteria and ultrasound.
Main Results:
- Hearing thresholds were 40 dB for preterm infants (28-34 weeks GA).
- Hearing thresholds were 30 dB for infants (35-38 weeks GA).
- Hearing thresholds were below 20 dB for term infants.
Conclusions:
- Infant hearing thresholds improve with increasing gestational age.
- Neonatal hearing maturation is similar whether in utero or ex utero.
- This study provides essential data for early identification and management of neonatal hearing loss.