All issues > Volume 49(5); 2006

Original Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2006;49(5):507-512. Published online May 15, 2006.

Neonatal hearing screening in a neonatal intensive care unit using distortion product otoacoustic emissions

Do Young DY Kim¹, Sung Shin SS Kim¹, Chang Hwi CH Kim¹, Shi Chan SC Kim²

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Bucheon Hospital, Seoul, Ko
²Department of Otolaryngology, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University, Bucheon Hospital, Seoul

Abstract

Purpose
: Early detection and intervention of hearing impairment is believed to improve speech and language development and behavior of children. The aim of this preliminary study was to determine the prevalence of hearing impairments, and to identify the association of risk factors relating to refer response in high risk neonates who were screened using distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE).
Methods
: The subjects included 871 neonates who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of the Pediatric Department in Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital from May, 2001 to December, 2004. They were screened using DPOAE. Based on DPOAE, we divided the neonates in two groups : ‘Pass’ and ‘Refer’. The differences in risk factors between the pass group and the refer group were analyzed.
Results
: The incidence of the refer group was 12.1 percent(106 out of 871). The bilateral refer rate was 5.4 percent(47 out of 871). And the unilateral refer rate was 6.7 percent(59 out of 871). Gender, birth place, family history of hearing loss, small/large for gestational age, obstetrical factor, hyperbilirubinemia and use of gentamicin were not statistically related to the refer rate. Statistically related to refer rate were birth weight, resuscitated neonates, Apgar score, craniofacial anomaly, mechanical ventilator application, sepsis, using of vancomycin(P<0.05). The prevalence of hearing impairment (≥60 dB) in this study was 2 percent(18 out of 871).
Conclusion
: This study showed a higher prevalence of hearing impairment in high-risk neonates. Thus neonatal hearing screening should be carried out in high-risk neonates.

Keywords :Neonatal hearing screening , Distortion product otoacoustic emissions , Intensive care neonate