Screening of Newborns and Infants for Hearing Assessment by Otoacoustic Emission Test in a Rural Area

Authors

  • Anil S Consultant ENT Surgeon, Rotary Charitable Hospital, Sirsi, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka, India
  • Chandrakiran C Professor, Department of ENT, M S Ramaiah Medical College & Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Sanjay B. Patil Professor, Department of ENT, M S Ramaiah Medical College & Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Harshavardhan N. Reddy Professor, Department of ENT, M S Ramaiah Medical College & Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
  • Nandakumar Bidare Sastry Professor, Department of Community Medicine, M S Ramaiah Medical College & Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Abstract

Background: Hearing is essential for speech, language, and cognitive development. In India, 4–6 out of every 1000 children are born with significant hearing impairment. Early identification and intervention are critical, particularly in rural areas where prevalence is higher and access to care is limited. OAE (Otoacoustic Emission) testing, including TEOAE (Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission) and DPOAE (Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission) methods provide a simple, non-invasive tool for early hearing loss detection in neonates. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to September 2018 in rural areas of Chikkaballapur district, Karnataka. A total of 953 neonates and infants attending primary health centers were screened using a three-stage protocol. The first and second stages involved TEOAE/DPOAE testing and those who failed were subjected to BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry) as a confirmatory test. Results: Out of 953 screened neonates and infants, the prevalence of hearing loss was found to be 0.419%. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of the TEOAE/DPOAE screening protocol in early identification of congenital hearing loss. Conclusion: OAE based screening is a reliable, feasible and efficient method for early detection of congenital hearing loss particularly in rural settings. Incorporating this method into UNHS (Universal Newborn Hearing Screening) programs can facilitate early diagnosis and timely intervention, promoting optimal speech and language development.

Keywords:

Neonatal Hearing Loss, Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions, Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions, Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry, Newborn Screening

References

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Published

2025-09-21
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Issue

Vol. 16 No. 9 (2025): Volume16,Issue9

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Articles