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Updated: Aug 30, 2026
Data Acquisition and Analysis In Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry In Mice
Published on: May 10, 2019
The auditory brainstem response (ABR) evaluates risk factors for hearing loss in the newborn
Insights
Auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) screening identified significant hearing loss in 14% of intensive care nursery patients. Neonatal asphyxia with acidosis was a key risk factor for hearing impairment in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal audiology
- Pediatric otolaryngology
Background:
- Hearing loss is a common concern in premature infants.
- Early identification of hearing impairment is crucial for developmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence of hearing loss in an intensive care nursery population using auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR).
- To identify risk factors associated with hearing loss in this vulnerable group.
Main Methods:
- Auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) testing was performed on 100 unselected intensive care nursery patients.
- Clinical records were analyzed to identify potential risk factors for hearing loss.
Main Results:
- Fourteen percent (14/100) of patients exhibited significant hearing loss via ABR.
- Nine risk factors were identified, including low Apgar scores and neonatal asphyxia with repeated acidosis.
- Neonatal asphyxia was linked to hearing loss specifically when accompanied by recurrent acidosis.
Conclusions:
- ABR is an effective method for detecting hearing loss in premature infants.
- Prolonged cochlear perfusion with acidotic blood may be a primary cause of hearing disorders in this population.
Abstract:
Fourteen of 100 unselected patients in an intensive care nursery were found by the auditory brainstem evoked response (ABR) method to suffer significant hearing loss; of these 8 were ultimately discharged home. Analysis of the 100 clinical records identified 9 risk factors of which most, like low Apgar scores, are already known (Table I). However, neonatal asphyxia appeared to be associated with hearing loss only when repeated episodes of acidosis accompanied it (Table III). We conclude that the ABR readily identifies the hard-of-hearing premature and estimates the type and amount of his peripheral hearing loss, and that physiological events associated with prolonged perfusion of the cochlea with blood low in pH may be the most common cause of hearing disorder in this group.
