Transient evoked oto-acoustic emission screening in newborns in Bogotá, Colombia: A retrospective study

Prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss in newborns in a hospital from a developing country

“…It is known that moderate hearing loss of at least 40 dB distorts the patient's perception of voices, including the perception of their own voice, affecting language production (8). Children with undetected hearing loss may have delayed speech and language development (9,10). An early diagnosis of Csnhl has a great impact on the quality of life of children with Csnhl, since it has been observed that if hearing loss is treated early, it improves communication skills (11).…”

“…Currently, both the Otoacoustic Emissions (Oae) and the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (aabr) tests are used as screening tools for hearing loss (9,12). Oae are sounds generated by outer hair cochlear cells in response to specific sound stimuli, measured by a sensitive microphone placed in the ear.…”

“…Therefore, Oae do not detect mild hearing loss, and are specifically designed to detect moderate to severe hearing loss. Oae have 80 to 90% sensitivity and 90% specificity (9,16), are affordable, easy and quick to perform, and do not require sedation (12). In addition, Oae are generally cheaper than aabr, which are more accurate but take longer to perform (6).…”

“…Currently, Colombia lacks a public unhs program, being only limited to private institutions (9), and there still are great challenges to implement it (10). The Dane (National Statistics Administrative Department) has reported a prevalence of auditory disability in 5 per 1 000 habitants in the general population (9). In 2005, a law was passed regarding the rights of people with hearing impairments, and it put forth the need of a unhs in article 43.…”