Audiology follow-up of children with hearing loss indicators

Abstract

The integrity of the hearing system is of great importance to the development of the oral language. It is necessary that any children with hearing loss can be identified, diagnosed and treated in order to ensure the best development of oral language. Children with hearing loss indicators have a greater probability of having a hearing loss. Therefore, it is urgent that the hearing evaluation of these children can be performed as soon as possible after maternity discharge. The goal of this research was to study the hearing function in children between 0 and 2 years of age with any hearing loss indicator according to the “Joint Committee on Infant Hearing” (1994). The children were evaluated using TOAE, BOA and Tympanometry. 32 children from 3 different maternities in Sao Paulo were followed up. The most prevalent hearing loss indicators were: permanence in isolete, ototoxity, and low birth weight. 5 premature children with delayed development of the hearing function were found. Of the 64 ears studied, 7 could not be tested for TEOAE. No children were found with sensorineural hearing loss. The test battery proved to be effective in order to follow up children from birth to 2 years old with hearing loss indicators.