Predictors of Otoacoustic Emission Test in Newborns: A Prospective One Year Study in Ahvaz, Iran

Hearing loss compromises optimal development of language and communication unless effective intervention is started within the ûrst year of life. Despite the JCIH recommendation as universal screening of all infants for hearing loss within the first few months of life; only some countries were successful in executing it. This study was undertaken in order to determine the most important predictors of Otoacoustic emission (OAE) as initial hearing screening of infancy in south of Iran. This may help in targeted hearing screening in high risk infants. The present study is a prospective cohort study examining all newborns throughout 2013to2014 delivered in Emam Khomeini hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. The neonatal hearing screening was carried out by portable transient evoked automated otoacoustic emissions (OAE) before discharge from the hospital. The Association between probable predictors (birth weight, history of blood exchange due to Hyperbilirubinemia, family history of hearing loss and history of admission in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for more than 48 hours) and the rate of failure in the screening was then analysed. During the study, 1850 children were born in the maternity ward of this hospital. The frequency of hearing screening refers rate was obtained at 9.8%. history of NICU admission and Low birth weight (<1500 gr) were significantly associated with hearing impairment as measured by OAE (P<0.001for both of them). History of blood exchange due to Hyperbilirubinemia and positive family history were not significantly different between two groups. History of NICU admission and low birth weight are two significant predictors for OAE failure in south of Iran. So if universal newborn hearing screening is unavailable, targeted screening in high risk infants including those admitted to the NICU and newborns with low birth weight is highly recommended.