Understanding the Health of the Hearing of a Newborn

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 135 views

Understanding the Health of the Hearing of a Newborn

Hearing is the main key in the development of a child, especially for the ability to speak, social interaction, and emotional. Hearing loss that is not detected early can have a negative impact on the ability to speak, social and emotional development, behavior, concentration, and academic achievement of a child. Therefore, hearing screening in newborns is very important to detect potential hearing problems as early as possible. The importance of hearing screening is highlighted by the fact that hearing health survey in seven provinces in Indonesia in 1994-1996 found the prevalence of deafness from birth by 0.1% of 19,375 samples examined. This figure shows the importance of hearing screening as a preventive measure to detect hearing loss from an early age. The National Institute of Health in the United States in 1993 recommended hearing screening for all newborns, ideally before the baby leaves the hospital.

Current Technological Advances in Hearing Examination

Current technological advances have allowed an objective, safe and easy to do hearing audit examination from an early age. One of the commonly used methods is the examination of otoakustik emissions (OAE), which is considered as a gold standard in hearing examination. OAE examination is a non-invasive and painless test that measures the sound produced by the inner ear in response to sound stimulation. This method is widely used in hospitals and clinics around the world due to its accuracy and effectiveness in detecting hearing loss in newborns.

Research Methods

This research was conducted with the cross-sectional study approach (Latitude Cut Study) through a survey conducted at H. Adam Malik Hospital Medan and BPK Dr. Pirngadi Medan since May 2008. This study involved newborn babies aged more than 24 hours and before being discharged from the hospital. OAE examination using the transient evoked otoacoustic emission (teoae) method is carried out in both the baby's ears. Based on the results of the examination, the baby is categorized as a 'pass' (no need for further test) or 'refer' (must be tested).

Research Results

Of the 44 newborn babies examined by OAE, the majority (70.45%) received bilateral pass results, while 29.55% received referral results both bilateral and unilateral. This shows that the OAE examination is an effective screening tool to detect potential hearing loss in newborns.

Further Analysis

This study revealed several interesting points:

Risk Factors

Of the 20 babies with risk factors, 55% get bilateral pass results, while 24 babies without risk factors have bilateral pass results reaching 83.33%. This shows that risk factors have an influence on OAE examination results.
Low birth weight (BBLR) is the biggest risk factor that produces bilateral refers (57.14%). This shows that babies with LBW have a greater chance of having hearing loss.

Gender

Of the 20 male babies, 75% get bilateral pass results, while 35% get bilateral referrs and unilateral referrs. This shows that male babies have a higher chance of passing the OAE examination.
In 24 baby girls, 66.66% received bilateral pass, while 33.34% received bilateral referrs and unilateral referrs. This shows that female babies have a lower chance of passing the OAE examination.

Types of Labor

Spontaneous delivery (PSP) has the highest percentage of bilateral refer and unilateral refer. Of the 18 babies born PSP, 22.22% received bilateral referrs and 11.11% received unilateral pass/referrs.

Conclusion

This study shows that OAE examination is an effective screening tool to detect potential hearing loss in newborns. It is important to follow up on the 'refer' results with further examination to identify the causes of hearing loss and provide appropriate treatment. The results of this study also show the importance of identifying risk factors, such as LBW, to direct more comprehensive hearing screening. The importance of early hearing screening is very crucial in supporting the growth and development of children. By detecting hearing loss early, we can provide appropriate interventions and prevent negative impacts on the ability to speak, social and emotional development, and children's success in the future.

Q: What is Otoakustik Emissions (OAE) examination?

A: OAE examination is a non-invasive and painless test that measures the sound produced by the inner ear in response to sound stimulation. It is a widely used method to detect hearing loss in newborns.

Q: Why is OAE examination important for newborns?

A: OAE examination is important for newborns because it can detect hearing loss early, which can have a negative impact on their ability to speak, social and emotional development, behavior, concentration, and academic achievement.

Q: What are the benefits of OAE examination?

A: The benefits of OAE examination include:

Early detection of hearing loss
Prevention of negative impacts on speech, social and emotional development, behavior, concentration, and academic achievement
Identification of risk factors, such as low birth weight, to direct more comprehensive hearing screening
Provision of appropriate interventions and treatment for hearing loss

Q: How is OAE examination performed?

A: OAE examination is performed using a device that emits a sound stimulus into the ear canal. The sound produced by the inner ear in response to the stimulus is measured and recorded.

Q: What are the results of OAE examination?

A: The results of OAE examination are categorized as either "pass" (no need for further test) or "refer" (must be tested). If the result is "refer", further examination is necessary to identify the causes of hearing loss and provide appropriate treatment.

Q: What are the risk factors that can affect OAE examination results?

A: The risk factors that can affect OAE examination results include:

Low birth weight (BBLR)
Premature birth
Family history of hearing loss
Exposure to loud noises during pregnancy

Q: Can OAE examination detect hearing loss in newborns with risk factors?

A: Yes, OAE examination can detect hearing loss in newborns with risk factors. However, it is essential to follow up on the "refer" results with further examination to identify the causes of hearing loss and provide appropriate treatment.

Q: How can parents ensure that their newborn receives OAE examination?

A: Parents can ensure that their newborn receives OAE examination by:

Asking their healthcare provider about OAE examination during pregnancy
Scheduling OAE examination before discharge from the hospital
Following up on the results of OAE examination with further examination if necessary

Q: What are the next steps after OAE examination?

A: The next steps after OAE examination include:

Further examination to identify the causes of hearing loss and provide appropriate treatment if the result is "refer"
Referral to an audiologist or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation and treatment
Development of a treatment plan to address hearing loss and prevent its negative impacts on speech, social and emotional development, behavior, concentration, and academic achievement.