Publication:

A study on neonatal hearing screening in a tribal based medical college using screening otoacoustic emissions

Background Hearing screening is a universal procedure for early detection and prevention of hearing loss. The Oto-acoustic emission (OAE) is a very useful screening test to rule out abnormal cochlear outer hair cells functioning which is lead to hearing loss.

Methods This prospective observational study was carried out among 600 neonates who were admitted to NICU and post-natal ward from April 2024 to September 2024. Only TEOAE (Transient evoked OAE) was considered for this study.

Results In this study among 600 neonates, 58.33 (%) neonates were male and 41.66 (%) were females, 155 (25.83%) were normal (without risk factors) neonates and 445 (74.16%) were high risk neonates and finally 544 (90.66%) neonates passed the test after second screening.

Conclusions Screening OAE is a very reliable, fast, noninvasive and cost-effective approach, particularly for neonates. we can easily rule out the early listening to loss with the aid of the use of the device screening OAEs.