Gender Differences Among Newborns on a Transient Otoacoustic Emissions Test for Hearing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine gender differences with regard to cochlea sensitivity as measured by the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions hearing screening procedure. During this test, a sudden burst of sound is presented at between 78 and 83 dB SPL which stimulates the entire basilar membrane. This in turn excites the outer hair cells in the cochlea and causes an echo-type response which is recorded by a microphone in a probe placed in the ear canal. This test is used to screen for peripheral hearing loss. Subjects ( N = 350) for this project were healthy, full-term newborns (38-42 weeks gestation) in the first 48 hours of life who had bilaterally passed the transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) screening test. Male (n = 170) and female (n = 180) infants were selected randomly from all babies born during a 3-month period who met the criteria at a large birthing hospital. Responses to TEOAE stimuli were recorded at 1.6 kHz, 2.4 kHz, 3.2 kHz, and 4.0 kHz. The responses were recorded as decibel levels indicating a signal-to-noise ratio. These decibel levels were used in a three-way ANOVA with repeated measures comparing gender, ear, and frequency level. Results indicated significant differences due to gender (female hearing more sensitive than male) and frequency (least sensitive hearing recorded at 1.6 kHz, most sensitive hearing recorded at 3.2 kHz). A significant two-way interaction indicated that differences in hearing sensitivity between genders increased as the frequency increased.

Processo de implantação de Programa de Saúde Auditiva em duas maternidades públicas

“…Não localizamos estudos que comprovem a predominância de deficiência auditiva relacionada ao gênero; entretanto, a resposta auditiva é maior no gênero feminino e na orelha direita (23) . Talvez isto se deva ao número de células ciliadas maior no gênero feminino (24) , gênero que também apresenta maior prevalência de emissões otoacústicas ( 25) . O trabalho desenvolvido em maternidade pública tem suas especificidades, que muitas vezes, alteram o fluxo dos atendimentos, entre elas o quadro de funcionários restrito, grande número de partos/dia, tempo disponível para capacitação dentro e fora da unidade e articulação da maternidade com outros serviços do próprio SUS, que disponham de diagnóstico e intervenção, principalmente no que se refere à concessão do aparelho de amplificação sonora, conforme preconizado (5) .…”

Características das emissões otoacústicas por transientes em programa de triagem auditiva neonatal

“…The higher OHC count in females (Wright et al, 1987), gender with a a higher prevalence of OAE (Cassidy;Ditty, 2001). The spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAE) are found in the absence of acoustic stimulation, and are also more prevalent in females and right ears, and despite the uncertain clinical application their presence have impact on TEOAE measure (Probst et al, 1986).…”

Click-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Children and Adolescents with Gender Identity Disorder

“…Females appear to generate stronger and higher numbers of OAEs than males. This sex difference in emission strength and frequency is present directly after birth (Aidan, Lestang, Avan, & Bonfils, 1997;Berninger, 2007;Burns, Arehart, & Campbell, 1992;Cassidy & Ditty, 2001;Driscoll et al, 1999;Kei, McPherson, Smyth, Latham, & Loscher, 1997;Saitoh et al, 2006;Strickland, Burns, & Tubis, 1985;Thornton, Marotta, & Kennedy, 2003). The outer hair cells of the cochlea have been reported to develop between the 9th and 22nd week of gestation (Lavigne-Rebillard & Pujol, 1986;Pujol & Lavigne-Rebillard, 1995), a time window that overlaps with the critical period for sexual differentiation, when testosterone levels in male fetuses are elevated (Finegan, Bartleman, & Wong, 1989).…”