Early detection should
be done in all ENT / Pediatric centers. It aims to identify
hearing impairment if present at birth, in order to affect
appropriate intervention as early as possible.
Incidence of Hearing
loss is higher than the incidence of all other screen able
disease put together (Thyroid disorder, sickle cell anemia,
phenyl ketonuria etc). There is no standard methodology followed
at present for early detection of hearing loss. In USA, UK
and many other countries routine hearing screening in new
born is made compulsory.
Shravan follow the
three - stage process of Universal detection of hearing loss
in newborn recommended by Aidan [Aidan et al Ann Otol Rhino
Laryngol 1999 Jun 108]. We recommend the same for all centers.
It consists of :
Birth
admission screening - All Neonates are referred for
the first test OAE, before discharge from hospital.
Follow
- up screening - Those who fail the birth admission
OAE screening, are screened after 1 month [4 to 6
weeks]. Those who do not pass the second - stage screening
are referred for a final OAE screening at 3 months.
On failure
at all three tests to detect OAE emission, the child
is then referred for “Early Intervention”.
TEOAE is simple, non - invasive,
quick and reliable objective audiological screening test to
administer in clinical practice. Can be done in a non - acoustically
shielded room by a semi - trained person too [should be under
direct supervision of a clinician]. False positive test is
not reported.
The only disadvantage is - False
negative is high [Appx 15%] and can lead to false alarm. Probe
mechanics / EAC /Anatomy may give trouble.
ENT Speciality Center,
Divya Complex, II Floor,
NH - 47, Vyttila Junction,
Kochi - 682 019, Kerala, India.
Ph:+91 484 2305995, 2306301
Mob: +91 9349305995
