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Audiometric evaluation of infants 12-18 months of age
Insights
Behavioral observation audiometry and acoustic impedance tests are valuable for infant hearing assessments. These audiological evaluations in 12-18 month olds show good correlation between impedance and hearing results.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric audiology
- Infant hearing assessment
Background:
- Behavioral observation audiometry and acoustic impedance studies are infrequently evaluated together in infants aged 12-18 months.
- Early identification of hearing loss in infants is crucial for development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of combining behavioral observation audiometry with acoustic impedance studies in the 12-18 month infant population.
- To assess the correlation between audiological findings and acoustic impedance results in this age group.
Main Methods:
- Seventy-three infants (12-18 months) from a neonatal registry underwent audiological evaluations.
- Evaluations included speech detection, hearing threshold levels, and acoustic impedance studies (tympanometry, acoustic reflexes).
- Data analysis focused on the percentage of complete results and the concordance between audiology and impedance findings.
Main Results:
- Complete audiometric results were obtained from 75% of infants during the initial evaluation.
- Binaural tympanograms were successfully obtained from 73% of the infants.
- Acoustic impedance studies confirmed audiometric findings in 77% of the evaluated infants, with a 4% incidence of absent reflexes.
Conclusions:
- Combining behavioral observation audiometry with acoustic impedance studies provides reliable hearing information in 12-18 month old infants.
- Acoustic impedance studies are a valuable adjunct to behavioral audiometry for confirming audiological findings in infants.
- Further research can optimize protocols for acoustic reflex testing in this population.
Abstract:
Behavioral observation audiometry in conjunction with acoustic impedance studies have infrequently been evaluated in the 12-18 month infant population. Seventy-three infants from the neonatal registry had audiological evaluations performed consisting of speech detection and hearing threshold levels, as well as acoustic impedance studies. Complete audiometric results were obtained from 75% (55) of infants during the initial audiologic evaluation; 73% (53) provided binaural tympanograms. Only 50% of the patients cooperated for all four frequencies attempted on acoustic reflex studies with a 4% incidence of absent reflexes. Impedance studies confirmed audiometric findings in 77% of the infants evaluated.