Risk factors for hearing loss in neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to research risk factors of hearing loss among neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Method Hearing screening tests were performed on 572 neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit. Those who failed screening tests were referred for diagnostic tests. Results The pass rates for automated auditory brainstem response, distortion product otoacoustic emission and acoustic impedance tests at first hearing screening were 69.93 per cent, 70.02 per cent and 92.92 per cent for 1144 ears. Failure in the first screening correlated with preterm birth, very low birth weight, revised advanced maternal age, neonatal hyperbilirubinaemia and Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance, Respiration score less than 8. Thirty cases failed in diagnostic hearing tests for brainstem auditory evoked potentials, 28 failed in otoacoustic emissions and 33 failed in acoustic impedance, which correlated with preterm birth, very low birth weight, twins, advanced maternal age and revised advanced maternal age. Conclusion Abnormalities in the hearing levels of most neonates who needed hearing retests were completely or partially reversible. Preterm birth, very low birth weight, twins and advanced maternal age are potential risk factors for hearing impairment.

Nomogram for prediction of hearing rehabilitation outcome in children with congenital sensorineural hearing loss after cochlear implantation

“…Literature has reported that clinical information such as premature birth [ 9 , 10 ] and brain structural MRI assessment such as white matter lesions [ 11 , 12 ] being related to hearing loss in newborns. Additional factors such as age at CI surgery [ [13] , [14] , [15] ], preoperative speech rehabilitation training [ 16 ], the width of bony cochlear nerve canal [ 17 , 18 ] and the diameter of internal auditory canal [ 19 ] have been shown to be related to the rehabilitation outcome after CI surgery.…”