What is it about?
Three hundred and seventeen positive screens from a 2-stage distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) screening programme in Hong Kong, who subsequently received diagnostic auditory brainstem response (ABR) assessment and monitoring, were investigated. Differences in diagnostic ABR results were compared among infants of different ages at tests, and with different time lapses after DPOAE screening. The proportion of those having persistent hearing impairment, conductive loss and impairment of moderate degree or above, were also compared. A significantly higher rate of normal ABR thresholds (60%versus 24%) was noted in infants assessed after age 50 days, and in infants diagnostically assessed with a time lapse of over 20 days post-DPOAE screening (65%versus 42%).
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Why is it important?
Delaying diagnostic ABR assessment may reveal a higher percentage of normal thresholds, and hence probably higher specificity. Time delay may allow for spontaneous resolution of transient outer and middle ear conditions. However, the goals of early identification and intervention, as well as possible parental anxiety with delayed assessment, should also be considered when reviewing infant hearing screening schedules.
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This page is a summary of: Infant hearing screening: effects of timeline, Clinical Otolaryngology, April 2008, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-4486.2008.01663.x.
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