An evaluation of BERA for hearing screening in high-risk neonates

• Published in: The Laryngoscope Vol. 93; no. 9; p. 1115
• Main Authors: Alberti, P W, Hyde, M L, Riko, K, Corbin, H, Abramovich, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-09-1983
• Subjects: Audiometry; Audiometry, Evoked Response; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Hearing Disorders - diagnosis; Hearing Tests - methods; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases - diagnosis; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Risk
• DOI: 10.1288/00005537-198309000-00001
• ISSN: 0023-852X

Brain stem electric response audiometry (BERA) is evaluated for early detection of hearing loss in high-risk newborns selected from a general hospital population. They receive screening BERA in the nursery and detailed frequency-specific BERA in the Audiology clinic, just before discharge. Three months later, testing is repeated and recommendations are made. From 1364 assessments, 321 at-risk babies were identified; 234 received predischarge tests, and 200 had follow-up tests. Screening BERA with 40 dB nHL clicks is appropriate in the nursery. Screening sensitivity is good, and only 8% of babies failed. Several of these had mild hearing loss, resolving in the first trimester. Follow-up BERA confirmed hearing loss in 8 babies. Parental compliance is high, and the program is well-accepted. In conjunction with the high-risk register, BERA is useful both for screening and for quantitative audiometry in the infant.