Incidence and risk factors associated with hearing loss in high-risk neonates in Srinagarind Hospital.

OBJECTIVE To determine incidence and risk factors associated with hearing loss in high-risk neonates in Srinagarind Hospital. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. MATERIAL AND METHOD High-risk neonates were screened with TEOAE/AABR. All infants were followed for hearing and developmental evaluation until one year of age. RESULTS Four hundred twenty five neonates underwent hearing screening tests. Nine infants (2.1%) had abnormal TEOAE, AABR and ABR tests. During follow-up, two of the nine infants that had abnormal initial hearing tests were found to have normal hearing at eight and nine months of age. Therefore, seven high-risk neonates (1.6%) had permanent hearing loss. Significant risk factors for permanent hearing loss were craniofacial anomalies, very low birth weight, low Apgar scores at 5 minute and mechanical ventilation usage for more than five days. CONCLUSION Continuing evaluation of hearing and development during follow-up is important in children with abnormal hearing tests. Invasive procedures as early intervention during the first six months of life should be considered with caution because some premature infants can have false positive tests or transient hearing loss and subsequently have normal hearing and development.