Observer Bias as a Factor in Neonatal Hearing Screening

To evaluate observer bias as a possible factor influencing neonatal hearing testing, two trained observers were asked to evaluate the behavior of 200 neonates at a moment the observers thought a stimulus was being presented. Observers were receiving masking noise, and when the stimulus button was pressed a stimulus might or might not be delivered to the child. Results suggest that observer bias is not a factor when arousal is the only acceptable response and is clearly defined, and the observers are limited to a yes-no decision. Sequential analysis of infant response patterns is presented and a specific test scoring protocol is outlined.