title: Auditory maturation in premature infants: a potential pitfall for early cochlear implantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe spontaneous hearing improvement in the first years of life of a number of preterm neonates relative to cochlear implant candidacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hearing levels of 14 preterm neonates (mean gestational age at birth = 29 weeks) referred after newborn hearing screening were evaluated. Initial hearing thresholds ranged from 40 to 105 dBHL (mean = 85 dBHL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hearing level improved to normal levels for four neonates and to moderate levels for five, whereas for five neonates, no improvement in hearing thresholds was observed and cochlear implantation was recommended. Three of the four neonates in whom the hearing improved to normal levels were born prior to 28 weeks gestational age. Hearing improvement was mainly observed prior to a gestational age of 80 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Delayed maturation of an immature auditory pathway might be an important reason for referral after newborn hearing screening in premature infants. Caution is advised regarding early cochlear implantation in preterm born infants. Audiological follow-ups until at least 80 weeks gestational age are therefore recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, the Netherlands. janny.hof@mumc.nl
authors.forename: Janny R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Hof
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Stokroos
authors.forename: Eduard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wix
authors.forename: Mickey
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chenault
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gelders
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brokx
mesh_terms: D019929:Cochlear Implantation; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006320:Hearing Tests; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: Newborn hearing screening; auditory pathway; cochlear implantation; maturation