ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Automated Auditory Brain Response (AABR) devices are unique tools for neonate hearing screening programs. Contemporary utilization of AABR devices is based on two stimuli called chirp and click. The first study objective was to identify any possible differences in chirp and click stimulus results of the AABR devices in neonates. The second aim was to investigate any possible risk factor that could affect the results of each stimulus.

MATERIAL and METHODS

Chirp and click stimuli were applied to each neonate using the AABR devices. Results were recorded automatically as pass or failed. Those with failed results were called after month for a retest. Hearing loss risk factors were obtained from the parents and caregivers.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of the fifty-eight chirp stimuli gave negative results on the AABR in the second AABR test. Twenty-nine of the seventy-six click stimuli on the AABR gave a failed result on retest. The most common risk factors were consanguineous marriage of parents (n=184), history of being admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (n=119), and jaundice (n=102). In addition, hearing loss was not detected in any neonate and was therefore not considered to significantly affect the results of the chirp or click stimulus on the AABR.

CONCLUSION

We were unable to prove that the chirp stimulus could be replaced by the click stimuli in neonatal hearing screening using AABR device.