Effects of adverse perinatal events on hearing

The hearing sensitivity for frequencies 8 kHz through to 18 kHz was compared between children with adverse perinatal factors (study group) and children without adverse perinatal factors (control group). Children in both groups had hearing at levels of 20 dB HL or better in the frequency range between 250 Hz to 8 kHz with normal middle ear pressure. High frequency hearing tests showed that the mean high frequency hearing threshold levels were worse in the study group. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in hearing levels at and above 12 kHz frequencies between the study and control groups. The hearing levels were found to be more significantly affected in females as compared to males, indicating that the high frequency hearing of females was more vulnerable to damage. The results indicate that adverse perinatal events are associated with raised high frequency thresholds in both sexes, especially in females.