Assessment of hearing in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia using otoacoustic emmisions and brainstem evoked response audiometry

The early linguistic age when language and speech skills develop is between 3-5 years. Speech is essential for communication and hence an important part of a normal life. Permanent hearing loss in children remains a public health problem and hence its prevention is an utmost important public health programme -The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness. Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is seen in about 2.3% of newborns. It is a common adverse effect that puts neonates at a high risk for hearing impairment. Bilirubin encephalopathy is due to raised unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin. Unconjugated bilirubin crosses the blood-brain barrier and, because it is lipid soluble, it penetrates neuronal and glial membranes too. Most of the tests used for assessing the hearing status in an individual require the cooperation of the subjects which is obviously not found in infants. Therefore, objective tests not requiring the infant’s cooperation can be used effectively. This study uses oto acoustic emissions (OAE) test as a screening test, and brain stem evoked response audiometry test (BERA) as a definite test for assessment of hearing in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia. To assess hearing impairment in newborns with hyperbilirubinemia