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[Prematurity, incubator noise and hearing disturbances (author's transl)]
Insights
Preterm infants receiving ototoxic antibiotics and experiencing difficult perinatal courses are at higher risk for hearing defects. Incubator noise did not correlate with hearing loss in this follow-up study.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Neonatal Intensive Care
Context:
- Follow-up study of 62 children (ages 10-11) born preterm (29-35 weeks gestation).
- Infants received incubator care (21-61 days) and ototoxic antibiotics.
- Participants had numerous perinatal risk factors, indicated by a high "non-optimal score."
Purpose:
- To assess audiologic outcomes in preterm children.
- To investigate the correlation between perinatal factors and hearing defects.
- To evaluate the role of incubator noise in hearing impairment.
Summary:
- 71% of children had normal hearing; 13% had minor defects; 16% had major hearing defects.
- A significant correlation exists between hearing defects and the "non-optimal score," indicating higher risk with a more difficult perinatal course.
- Incubator noise levels were below dangerous limits and did not correlate with hearing impairment.
Impact:
- Highlights the increased risk of hearing defects in preterm infants with complex neonatal histories.
- Suggests that perinatal complications, not incubator noise, are primary contributors to hearing loss in this population.
- Informs targeted audiological surveillance for high-risk preterm infants.
Abstract:
1. An audiologic follow-up study was done on 62 children, ages 10-11 years. All children had been pre-term infants, with a gestational age between 29 and 35 weeks. They had been maintained in an incubator for a period of 21-61 days. The children had frequently received ototoxic antibiotics in the newborn period, and had been subject to many perinatal risk factors with a high "non-optimal score." 2. 44 children (71%) were found to be audiologically normal, whereas 8 (13%) had minor auditory defects and 10 (16%) had major hearing defects. 3. There was a significant correlation between hearing defects and the "non-optimal score": children with the most difficult perinatal course were more likely to develop hearing difficulties. 4. This study was unable to support the assumption that the hearing loss found was due to high incubator noise levels: (a) The incubator noise level was slightly below the probably dangerous limit for noise exposure. (b) There was no correlation between the hearing impairment and the length of incubator stay. (c) The type of hearing defect was not generally consistent with that associated with noise pollution.