An evaluation of bera for hearing screening in high‐risk neonates

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Abstract
Brain stem electric response audiometry (BERA) is evaluated for early detection of hearing loss in high‐risk newborns selected from a general hospital population. They receive screening BERA in the nursery and detailed frequency‐specific BERA in the Audiology clinic, just before discharge. Three months later, testing is repeated and recommendations are made.From 1364 assessments, 321 at‐risk babies were identified; 234 received predischarge tests, and 200 had follow‐up tests. Screening BERA with 40 dB nHL clicks is appropriate in the nursery. Screening sensitivity is good, and only 8% of babies failed. Several of these had mild hearing loss, resolving in the first trimester. Follow‐up BERA confirmed hearing loss in 8 babies.Parental compliance is high, and the program is well‐accepted. In conjunction with the high‐risk register, BERA is useful both for screening and for quantitative audiometry in the infant.