Click evoked otoacoustic emissions in neonatal screening.
Seven hundred and twenty-three neonates under intensive care have been tested by evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE) and the auditory brain stem response (ABR) to investigate the use of EOAE as a test for hearing impairment. Three hundred and thirty-one have had follow-up tests to the age of at least 2 years. The EOAE test has been found to be practical and quick to perform. The proportion of NICU infants producing a recordable EOAE is 80%, and the sensitivity and selectivity to the ABR result in the period up to 3 months post due date is 93 and 84%, respectively. These figures are high enough and the reduction in time compared to ABR is sufficient for the EOAE to be considered as the primary screen. The follow-up data show mixed results with both false positives and false negatives present. The incidence of severe hearing impairment is close to that expected from retrospective studies at 2 in 331 (1 bilateral, 1 unilateral). Firm conclusions on the sensitivity of EOAE to long-term hearing impairment await the results from larger numbers of infants and further follow up data.
Stevens
J C
JC
Department of Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, UK.
Webb
H D
HD
Hutchinson
J
J
Connell
J
J
Smith
M F
MF
Buffin
J T
JT
D001300:Audiometry, Evoked Response / Q000379:methods*; D003055:Cochlear Microphonic Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015997:Neonatal Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies