Detection of prevalence of hearing loss in neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Objectives: For detection of the prevalence of hearing loss in neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) and identification the risk factors causing hearing loss in neonates admitted to (NICUs). Background: Neonates admitted to (NICUs) face various problems including hearing impairment, due to problems such as prematurity, hyperbilirubinemia and the risks associated with treatment strategies including; mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, ototoxic medications. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2015 and January 2016 and Auditory function was examined using otoacoustic emission (OAE) followed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests using (Interacoustics Eclipse). Results: Among the 112 neonates included in the study, 80 (71.4%) showed normal hearing, 28 (25%) showed hearing loss and 4 (3.6%) showed Auditory Neuropathy (AN). Conclusion: There was significant relationship between Hearing loss & (Gestational age, Birth weight, Oxygen therapy by Mechanical ventilation, Hyperbilirubinemia, Birth asphyxia, Craniofacial abnormalities, Family history of hearing loss, Consanguinity and ototoxicity). In contrast, there was no significant relationship between hearing loss & (sex, and Mode of delivery). Key words: Auditory brainstem response, Hearing loss, Neonatal hearing screening, Neonatal intensive care unit.

Author(s): HANY ABDOU Abo El yazeed

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article