The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of estimating hearing thresholds in neonates by means of extrapolated DPOAE I/O-functions. A further question was, whether the method is capable to detect transitory sound conduction disturbances, probably caused by residual amniotic fluid in the outer ear canal and the tympanic cavity, respectively, during the early postnatal period. DPOAE I/O-functions were recorded in 134 ears of 103 neonates at 12 frequencies between 1 and 8 kHz and auditory threshold was constructed using the estimated DPOAE threshold level from extrapolation. The first measurement (mean age: three days) revealed a high frequency hearing loss. Sixteen ears of 13 neonates underwent a follow-up measurement at least four weeks later, showing a normal hearing function. This fact and the decrease of DPOAE level in the frequency range of the hearing loss, while keeping the compressive shape of the DPOAE I/O-functions indicate transitory sound conduction disturbances. The method fulfills essential criteria of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS). It is fast and easy to handle. Measurement and data analysis are performed automatically. The method allows to detect sound conduction disturbances due to residual amniotic fluid in the early postnatal period. Furthermore, it provides frequency-specific information on cochlear function and could therefore fill the gap between conventional hearing screening methods and audiological diagnostic methods.
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The aim of this study was to examine the applicability of estimating hearing thresholds in neonates by means of extrapolated DPOAE I/O-functions. A further question was, whether the method is capable to detect transitory sound conduction disturbances, probably caused by residual amniotic fluid in the outer ear canal and the tympanic cavity, respectively, during the early postnatal period. DPOAE I/O-functions were recorded in 134 ears of 103 neonates at 12 frequencies between 1 and 8 kHz and audi...
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