title: Automated and conventional ABR screening techniques in high-risk infants.
abstract: Test validity is determined by the proportion of results that are diagnostically confirmed and predicted on the measures used to identify the disease process. This article summarizes the results of a series of 224 stable high-risk infants who were screened by automated (ALGO-1) and conventional (Bio-logics LT) ABR instrumentation. Failure criteria was defined as the absence or prolongation of a replicable wave V response (conventional) or Refer by the automated system. The overall failure rates at a 35 dB screening level were comparable between devices. Sensitivity and specificity measures for the ALGO-1 unit were 100 and 96 percent, respectively. Permanent hearing loss was demonstrated in 5 percent of the newborns screened in this study. Advantages of the automated system include a dual artifact rejection system, attenuating ear couplers, and a battery operated design. These findings suggest that the automated ABR screener is a viable alternative to conventional ABR instrumentation for the limited purpose of neonatal auditory screening.
authors: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston 77030.
authors: J T
authors: JT
authors: Jacobson
authors: C A
authors: CA
authors: Jacobson
authors: R C
authors: RC
authors: Spahr
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006320:Hearing Tests / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity