Oto acoustic emissions in early detection of sensorineural hearing loss in high-risk neonates

Background: Early identification of congenital hearing loss and early intervention ameliorated many adverse consequences. This study was performed to observe effectiveness of otoacoustic emission in screening of hearing loss in high-risk babies. Methods: Prospective study on 45 high-risk newborns delivered during period of 2013-2014. Selective newborn hearing performed with oto acoustic emissions (OAE) and auditory brain stem responses (ABR), in high-risk infants aged below 7 days, 15 days, after 45 days and after 90 days. Results: Study population comprised of 45 high-risk newborns. In 1 st level screening, 28 (62%) babies showed recordable OAE, 17 (38%) babies failed. In 2 nd level screening 31 (81%) passed and 7 (19%) failed and death occurred in 7 infants. In 3 rd level screening both OAE and brain stem evoked response audiometry (BERA), was performed in 38 cases and positivity was reported in 37 cases. 4 th level screening was similar to 3 rd level screening where 3 babies failed ABR test. In our study incidence of sensorineural hearing loss found to be 78.91% (3/38×1000) per 1000 high-risk babies. Auditory neuropathy was observed in 2 (4.4%) patients. Sensitivity and specificity of OAE was 100% and 33.3% respectively. In high-risk low birth weight neonates’ sensitivity and specificity was 66.7% and 50.0%. Conclusions: In high-risk babies, appropriate time for screening with OAE is around 60 days of age. OAE are useful diagnostic tool in evaluation of high-risk neonates for early detection of sensorineural hearing loss.