Effect of age on acoustic reflex thresholds in neonates and infants with normal hearing

Authors

  • Dipti Gupta Department of ENT, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab, India http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7551-2495
  • C. S. Vanaja Department of Audiology, BVPDU, Pune, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20211421

Keywords:

Acoustic reflex thresholds, Neonates, Infants, Normal hearing

Abstract

Background: High frequency (1000 Hz) probe tone holds substantial promise for carrying out acoustic reflexes in neonates and infants. A limited number of studies indicates that acoustic reflex thresholds (ART) also change significantly with age as the newborn hearing system matures. However, there is a need for obtaining more data before using it in a clinical population. The aim was to investigate effect of age of infants on ARTs. Effect of activator signal was also explored. 

Methods: ARTs were monitored using a 1 kHz probe tone for the 500 Hz, 1 kHz, 2 kHz, and 4 kHz pure tone activators in neonates and infants in the age range of 6 to 8 weeks were analysed.

Results: The mean ARTs for neonates were lower compared to infants. Results of repeated measure ANOVA showed that there was a statistically significant age effect. Also, ARTs for high frequency activator signals were significantly higher than the ARTs for low frequency signals.

Conclusions: The acoustic reflexes can be elicited for 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz when monitored using a 1000 Hz probe tone. There is an effect of age and activator signal on the acoustic reflex threshold. The data obtained in the present study can serve as normative for 0-1-week neonates and 6-8-weeks infants.

Author Biography

Dipti Gupta, Department of ENT, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, Punjab, India

ent, assistant prof., audiology and slp 

ph. no. 9592213883

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Published

2021-04-23

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Original Research Articles