Publication:

A study of brainstem evoked response audiometry in children with severe hearing loss

Background Brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool which can be used to assess the early hearing loss. The objectives of the study were to find out the risk factors for severe hearing loss in children and to evaluate the role of BERA in early diagnosis of severe hearing loss in children.

Methods The present hospital based cross sectional study was conducted on 105 children suffering from severe hearing loss. Risk factors of hearing loss was assessed in these children and brainstem evoked response audiometry was performed.

Results Out of 105 children studied risk factors for hearing loss were present in 69 cases (65.71%) in which several cases had multiple risk factors. History of prolonged stay at NICU was present in 23 cases (21.9%). 11 (10.5%) cases had suffered from meningitis while history of cerebral malaria was present in 2 cases (1.9%). History of cerebral palsy was present in 5.7% cases. The family history of hearing loss was present in 15 patients (14.3%). Bilateral severe hearing loss was present in 76 cases (72.4%) while in 13 cases (12.4%) there was bilateral severe to profound hearing loss assessed using BERA test.

Conclusions Early detection and timely intervention can not only help prevent this silent handicap of deafness but also contribute to social and economic productivity of a community.