Hearing screening for children in community settings using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions

Abstract

Despite widespread investigation and utilization of transient evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE) hearing screening programmes in the neonatal population, limited research has occurred into the applicability and particulars of TEOAE testing of other paediatric ages. Further consideration must be afforded to screening beyond the neonatal stage. Later, community-based options for hearing screening include the infant period and/or upon entry to primary school, or special education settings. The present researchers have conducted TEOAE screening and analyses for 627 subjects in the two-month-old age group, 940 children of school-entry age and 489 subjects studying in special schools. In particular, TEOAE normative data were provided for specific groups and environments, and non-pathological effects on the results were described. The technical findings of this paper lend themselves to a vast array of immediate clinical applications to improve hearing screening of two-month-old infants, six-year-old schoolchildren and children in special education settings.