A Study of Hearing Screening in Newborn Admitted in NICU at Tertiary Care Hospital using Oae (Otoacoustic Emission)

Background: Hearing is the ability to perceive sound by detecting vibrations through the ear and is one of the most precious senses. About one in every thousand children is born profoundly deaf. Infants in the NICU are ten to twenty times more likely to have significant hearing loss than healthy populations. This study was conducted to evaluate impact of different risk factors on hearing of newborn baby admitted in NICU. Methodology: A prospective study done in 700 newborn babies admitted in NICU at tertiary care hospital using OAE. Newborns admitted in NICU have been screened for hearing between 48 hours to 108 hours. Information collected regarding selected cases were recorded in proforma. Analysis conducted based on incidence of different risk factors on hearing of newborn babies in NICU. Results: In this study, out of total 700 newborn babies, 364 were male and 336 were female. 16 babies dropped out after the first screening test. At end of 3 stage screening test, 680 babies had normal hearing and 4 babies had hearing impairment. Out of 4 babies, 2 babies had ototoxic drug exposure and 2 babies had meningitis. Conclusion: In this study of 700 babies, 4 babies had hearing impairment. Out of 7 risk factors screened, only 2 risk factors were associated with hearing impairment. 2 out of 20 ototoxic drug exposed babies and 2 out of 50 of babies with meningitis had hearing impairment. Hearing impairment is not seen in low-birth-weight babies, respiratory distress syndrome babies, TORCH infected babies, hyperbilirubinemia, ventilated babies due to early and effective management.