Audiologic Evaluations of Newborns After Failure of Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the hearing and audiologic aspect of children who failed the universal newborn hearing screening.Methods A prospective analysis of 136 consecutive records of neonates referred to Chengdu women and children health hospital due to universal neonatal hearing screening failure. The diagnostic evaluation was performed at 3 and 6 months old and the protocol consisted of a standard otologic examination, diagnostic auditory brainstem response(ABR), transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), and middle ear assessment.Results In the initial 3 months old diagnosis, bilateral hearing loss was confirmed in 72 infants and unilateral hearing loss in 64 infants.Among 136 cases,mild hearing loss was found in 109,moderate in 9,severe in 7,and profound in 11 infants. In 6 months old confirmed diagnosis,permanent hearing loss was confirmed in 114 children with normal hearing in 22 infants. Bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed in 52 infants and unilateral hearing loss in 62 infants.Among these 114 cases,mild hearing loss was observed in 87,moderate in 11,severe in 4,and profound in 12.Conclusion The hearing level of the infants continues to change and those referred from hearing screening are in need of an in-depth evaluation and a comprehensive follow-up program.