[Pedaudiological diagnostics in the first year of life . Clinical follow-up, risk factors, and middle ear function]

HNO. 2012 Oct;60(10):919-26. doi: 10.1007/s00106-012-2570-6.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The universal neonatal hearing screening (UNHS) program demands detection of hearing loss within the first 3 months of life. Practicability and different screening methods should be evaluated. Thus, 617 patients (329 m., 288 w.) were analyzed; 246 children were referred in the UNHS, 389 with risk factors. In 459 children (74%), automated auditory brainstem response (ABR) screening in our department excluded hearing loss, thereof 129 (21%) underwent diagnostic auditory brainstem-evoked audiometry responses: 20 (16%) showed normal and 109 (84%) elevated ABR thresholds. A total of 91 children (83%) received hearing aids and 11 children (10%) treatment of middle ear effusion. Hearing loss was diagnosed in 18% of all children, 24% with UNHS referral and 34% with both referral and risk factors. Craniofacial anomalies, premature birth < 32 weeks of pregnancy, and syndromes were the most frequent risk factors. Reevaluation by ABR showed an improvement to normal hearing in 3 (of 14) children. The 226 Hz compared to 1,000 Hz-tympanometry showed different specificity (95.5 vs. 85.5%) and sensitivity (32.5 vs. 57.1%). Diagnosis within 3 months is possible, but very challenging in children with risk factors.

MeSH terms

  • Ear, Middle / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Hearing Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Hearing Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Hearing Disorders / physiopathology
  • Hearing Disorders / therapy
  • Hearing Tests / methods
  • Hearing Tests / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Mass Screening / methods
  • Mass Screening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Neonatal Screening / methods
  • Neonatal Screening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prevalence
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Risk Factors
  • Sensitivity and Specificity