Sensitivity and Specificity of Otoacustic Emissions in Newborns with Risk Factors Otoacustic Emissions in Newborns

Bolado OMB, Vazquez PR and Perez EJT

Published on: 2020-11-27

Abstract

Introduction: Due to the importance of hearing in language development, and its disabling potential depends largely on the time when the diagnosis is made and treatment and rehabilitation are started. International organizations created an auditory screening program for the detection of newborns with hearing deficits through tests such as Otoacoustic Emissions (EOA) and Auditory Evoked Potentials of the Brainstem (PEATC).

Objective: To know the sensitivity and specificity of OAE for the diagnosis of deafness in newborns (NB) with risk factors.

Material and methods: Prospective study with descriptive design, transversal, quasi-experimental and analytical, probabilistic, random, simple, multicentric between the period from March to September 2018., for the association of risk factors of use, chi square Pearson and Cramer's V coefficient. We studied RN with risk factors interned in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), EOA and PEATC (Beraphone) were taken.

Results: 100 RN were studied, 7 patients did not pass with EOA, sensitivity: 71.43%, specificity: 97.85%, Positive predictive value: 71.43%, Negative predictive value: 97.85%, test precision: 96%, low area value the curve: 0.846, weight, gestational age and stay in the NICU were the factors that were most associated with hearing loss.

Conclusions: OAE does not represent a sufficiently discriminatory alternative for hearing loss in newborns with risk factors. Weight, gestational age and stay in the NICU have a strong association with hearing loss.