Published online September 30, 2005
PEDIATRICS Vol. 116 No. 4 October 2005, pp. 933-938 (doi:10.1542/peds.2004-2806)
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Newborn Hearing Screening in the NICU: Profile of Failed Auditory Brainstem Response/Passed Otoacoustic Emission

Abbey L. Berg, PhD*,{ddagger}, Jaclyn B. Spitzer, PhD{ddagger}, Helen M. Towers, MD§, Christine Bartosiewicz, BA{ddagger} and Beverly E. Diamond, DSW||

* Department of Communication Studies/Communication Sciences and Disorders, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Pace University, New York, New York
{ddagger} Audiology and Speech Pathology Division, Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery
§ Department of Pediatrics
|| Irving Center for Clinical Research, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York

Objective. Incidence of a specific pattern of auditory responses, absent auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) and present otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), in newborn hearing screening in a regional perinatal center neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is described. This profile, labeled auditory neuropathy or auditory dyssynchrony (AN/AD), is a dysfunction in neural/brainstem transmission that occurs in individuals whose outer hairs cells are functioning normally. Although the AN/AD profile has been associated with various risk factors, incidence and prediction are unknown.

Method. Analysis of electrophysiologic measures and medical record reviews of the first 22 months of the universal newborn hearing–screening program was conducted. Association of the AN/AD profile was evaluated with the following factors: gender, gestational age, ototoxic drug regimen, low birth weight, hyperbilirubinemia, hydrocephalus, low Apgar score, anoxia, respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, intraventricular hemorrhage, multiple birth, seizure activity, and family history.

Results. One hundred fifteen (24.1%) of the 477 infants failed the ABR in 1 or both ears and passed OAEs bilaterally. Comparisons of infants fitting the AN/AD profile with those not fitting the AN/AD profile were negative with 3 exceptions: those with hyperbilirubinemia and those who were administered vancomycin or furosemide. A logistic-regression analysis model failed to predict which infants would be at risk for the AN/AD profile either unilaterally or bilaterally.

Conclusions. Screening of NICU infants should be conducted with ABR first, followed by OAE after failure on ABR. Because the incidence of the AN/AD profile was found to be 24% in this at-risk population, additional study is warranted.

Key Words: auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony • newborn hearing screening • infants • hyperbilirubinemia • ototoxicity • auditory brainstem response • otoacoustic emissions • neonatal intensive care • prematurity

Abbreviations: ABR, auditory brainstem response • OAE, otoacoustic emission • CM, cochlear microphonics • AN, auditory neuropathy • AD, auditory dyssynchrony • GA, gestational age • CUMC, Columbia University Medical Center • DPOAE, distortion-product otoacoustic emission

Accepted May 2, 2005.




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