In neonates most sensitive audiometric screening is:
(b) Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs).(Ref. Cummings, 6th ed., 2074)OAE is considered to be the best audiometric test to screen hearing in neonates. Absent OAE indicate cochlear lesions.For screening purposes the test has to be easy to do, less time consuming, results should be available immediately and cost effective.For these reasons OAE is better than BERA for screening hearing in neonates and children.If OAEs are absent, the child is taken up for BERA for confirmation.Electrocochleography is an invasive test. It is done for Meniere's, which is not the pathology, at this age.Tympanometry is used to detect middle ear lesions which are also unusual at this age.Developmental anomalies of the cochlea are to be ruled out at this age, if found, the child can be taken up for cochlear implantation as early as one year of age for proper speech development.
Electrocochleography
OAEs
BERA
Tympanometry
Ear