Effects of Background Noise on Transiently Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Newborn Hearing Screening

Abstract

Introduction: Newborn hearing screening program is one of the services offered in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) by most of the neonatologist today. Aim of the Study: Present study aimed to investigate the ambient noise levels which allow successful transient evoked otoacoustic emission testing. Method: 25 normal hearing neonates (group 1) and 25 normal hearing adults (group 2) participated in the study. Both groups were tested at 30 dB sound pressure level (SPL), 40 dB SPL and 50 dB SPL noise levels. Results and Discussion: Tests results showed with increase in noise levels number of passing subjects decreased and also testing was done at times more than once. Conclusion:Tester should take care of noise levels while doing the test in NICU, which can give false negative responses.