Normative wideband absorbance measures in healthy neonates in Korea: A preliminary study

Publication date: Available online 11 November 2018

Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Author(s): Young-Soo Chang, Gwanghui Ryu, Kyunga Kim, Yang-Sun Cho

Abstract

Introduction

The usefulness of wideband absorbance (WBA) in newborns is well-demonstrated. However, it is still not clear whether there might be a difference according to ethnicity with respect to ambient WBA; therefore, further investigation is necessary to evaluate ethnic-specific normative WBA values in newborns.

Methods

Twenty-one newborns (41 ears) were recruited from the well-baby nursery at a tertiary referral center. All newborn infants who were born at 38 weeks' to 41 weeks' gestation with a normal birth weight (range: 2.5–4.5 kg) and who passed a newborn hearing screening test with distortion product otoacoustic emissions were enrolled. Ambient absorbance values were measured on frequencies ranging from 226 Hz to 6,300 Hz (i.e., 250 Hz, 315 Hz, 400 Hz, 500 Hz, 620 Hz, 800 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 1,250 Hz, 1,600 Hz, 2,000 Hz, 2,500 Hz, 3,150 Hz, 4,000 Hz, 5,000 Hz, and 6,300 Hz). The results of median absorbance were compared with the WBA values of Caucasian infants and Korean adults.

Results

The gestational age of the study group was 38 weeks ± 6.67 days. In a gender comparison, absorbance of female neonate was significantly higher at 3,150 Hz, 4,000 Hz, and 5,000 Hz than in male. Based on the test frequencies, the medians of the Korean infant WBA values and Caucasian infants are significantly different from one another, except at 1,600 Hz, 3,150 Hz, and 4,000 Hz. The results of a median absorbance comparison between Korean infant and adults WBA values showed that the medians of the two studies were significantly different except at 1250 Hz.

Conclusion

We analyzed the normative WBA values measured at ambient pressures in Korean newborns. The comparative analysis between the normative values of two different ethnic groups may infer a possible difference in the normative WBA values. The absorbance from Korean infant ears is substantially different from that from adult's ears. A large-scale study is required to establish normative WBA values to be used for the screening of outer and middle ear status in newborns.

https://ift.tt/2K11hUg