Prevalence of hearing impairment in children at risk

Hearing impairment is prevalent in the general population; early intervention facilitates proper development. AIM: To establish the prevalence of hearing impairment in infants at risk, born between June 2006 and July 2008, and to correlate the variables with hearing loss. TYPE OF STUDY: descriptive and cross-sectional. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 188 newborns were evaluated using evoked otoacoustic emissions and distortion product and auditory behavior. Tests were repeated if the results were altered. If altered results persisted, the child was referred for impedance testing and, when necessary, for medical evaluation. Infants with normal conduction were referred for brainstem auditory evoked potential testing. RESULTS: Of 188 children two (1.1%) were excluded, and 174 (92.6%) had results within normal limits. Hearing impairment was found in 12 children (6.3%); hearing loss was retrocochlear in three infants (25%). Unilateral hearing loss was present in two infants (16.7%); bilateral hearing loss was present in 10 infants (83.3%). CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of hearing impairment in this population underlines the importance of early audiological testing.