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Screening for hearing loss in an at-risk neonatal population using evoked otoacoustic emissions
R Meredith1, D Stephens, S Hogan
1Welsh Hearing Institute, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
Insights
This 5-year study evaluated a neonatal hearing screening program using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions. While effective in detecting hearing loss without false negatives, it showed a high false positive rate, particularly in low birthweight infants.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neonatal care
- Public health
Background:
- Neonatal hearing loss affects 1-3 per 1000 live births.
- Early detection and intervention are crucial for language development.
- Risk factors necessitate targeted screening programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the 5-year performance of a neonatal hearing screening program.
- To assess the effectiveness of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) in high-risk neonates.
- To identify challenges and areas for improvement in the screening process.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year prospective study involving 772 high-risk neonates.
- Utilized the Programmable Otoacoustic Emissions Measurement System (POEMS).
- Screening focused on transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs).
Main Results:
- Successfully identified 14 cases of significant hearing loss.
- Achieved zero false negative results, ensuring no true cases were missed.
- Reported a high false positive rate, particularly in infants with birthweights under 1500g.
Conclusions:
- TEOAE screening is effective in detecting neonatal hearing loss with high sensitivity.
- The high false positive rate requires further investigation and potential refinement of screening protocols.
- Optimizing screening for low birthweight infants is essential for program efficiency.
Abstract:
The present study examines the performance of a transient evoked otoacoustic emissions hearing screening programme for neonates with risk factors for hearing loss. The programme has run for 5 years, and 772 babies with various risk factors have been screened using the Programmable Otoacoustic Emissions Measurement System (POEMS) designed by the Medical Research Council Institute of Hearing Research. Fourteen cases of significant hearing loss have been detected, with no false negative results. However, a very high false positive rate is reported, especially in babies with a birthweight of less than 1500 g.