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Neonatal hearing screening with otoacoustic emissions: an evaluation
K Daemers1, J D Drickx, K Van Driessche
1E.N.T. Department, Sint-Augustinus Medical Institute (U.I.A.), Antwerp, Belgium.
Insights
Universal neonatal hearing screening using click evoked otoacoustic emissions allows early detection of hearing loss. This enables timely intervention, significantly improving outcomes for infants with congenital hearing impairment.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neonatal Care
- Public Health
Background:
- Click evoked otoacoustic emissions (CEOAE) provide an easy method for immediate cochlear function testing in newborns.
- Early detection of hearing loss facilitates early intervention, enhancing social integration for congenitally hearing-impaired children.
- Growing international consensus supports universal neonatal hearing screening in Western societies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness and practicalities of a neonatal hearing screening program.
- To analyze the results and identify areas for procedural improvement.
- To emphasize the importance of stringent follow-up procedures for infants who fail the screening.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of a screening program conducted from January 1993 to December 1994 at the University ENT-Department of Sint-Augustinus Hospital.
- Inclusion of 907 neonates considered at low risk for hearing loss.
- Assessment of initial pass rates and improvements after procedural modifications.
Main Results:
- Initially, 81% of neonates passed the hearing screening test immediately.
- A pass rate of 93% was achieved after a maximum of three tests.
- Procedural changes improved the prevalence of detectable emissions from 69% to 84%.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal hearing screening programs require careful preparation, quality control, and ongoing analysis.
- Optimized screening procedures can significantly increase detection rates.
- A robust follow-up system is crucial for managing infants who do not pass the initial screening.
Abstract:
For several years now, it is possible to test the cochlear function immediately after birth in an easy way by means of click evoked otoacoustic emissions. Thanks to this early detection, hearing aid fitting and appropriate hearing rehabilitation can now be started at a very young age, which significantly enhances the possibility of integration of the congenitally hard of hearing in society. An international consensus is growing to endorse a universal neonatal hearing screening in western societies. Setting up screening programs necessitates good preparation, continuous quality control and regular analysis of procedures and results. The present paper evaluates the procedure as organised from January 1993 till December 1994 in the University ENT-Department of the Sint-Augustinus Hospital. Of the 907 included neonates who were considered not to be at risk for hearing loss, 81% passed the test immediately, and 93% passed after maximum 3 tests. Some changes in the initial procedure increased the prevalence of emissions from 69% to 84%. The practical problems of the screening program and especially the importance of a stringent follow-up procedure in case of failure, are discussed.
