Auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony as a cause of failed neonatal hearing screening

M Maris; C Venstermans; A N Boudewyns

doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.04.012

Auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony as a cause of failed neonatal hearing screening

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Jul;75(7):973-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.04.012. Epub 2011 May 19.

Authors

M Maris¹, C Venstermans, A N Boudewyns

Affiliation

¹ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium.

PMID: 21596446
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2011.04.012

Abstract

The prevalence of auditory neuropathy/dyssynchrony (AN/AD) is not exactly known. We retrospectively analysed the prevalence of this condition among 135 infants who failed a neonatal screening. Hearing screening was performed by automated auditory brainstem responses (AABR). Unilateral presence of click-evoked oto-acoustic emissions with absent auditory brainstem responses was found in 4 infants. Magnetic resonance imaging of the posterior fossa showed an aplasia/hypoplasia of the ipsilateral cochlear nerve in these 4 cases. The prevalence of AN/AD was 19% in infants with confirmed hearing loss. Our findings underscore the role of AABR in neonatal hearing screening.

MeSH terms

Cochlear Nerve / pathology
Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem
False Negative Reactions
Hearing Loss, Central / diagnosis*
Hearing Tests*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Neonatal Screening*
Otoacoustic Emissions, Spontaneous

Supplementary concepts

Auditory neuropathy