Characterization of a Monitoring Program Development of Auditory Function in Children with Risk Indicators for Hearing

Introduction: Hearing is essential for normal development and the acquisition of speech and language in children, allowing appropriate global development. The consequences of hearing loss (HL) are various, and those that refer to the most relevant communication. However, the earlier the HL is diagnosed, appropriate measures can be taken so that the difficulties are alleviated or even eliminated. Children with risk indicators for HL (RIHL) require monitoring of the development of hearing function in order to identify early cases of HL and/or late onset.

Objective: To characterize a program Monitoring of the Development of Auditory Function in Children presenting RIHL.

Method: Medical records of 662 of children evaluated in the period June 2010 to May 2011, by means of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOE). All children with RIHL were sent to monitor the hearing.

Results: Of 662 children tested, 94 (14.20%) had RIHL. There was a higher frequency of risk indicators located in the perinatal phase, followed by those related to prenatal stage. Only 26.60% of children with RIHL returned to the first monitoring, and the children who failed only one attended the scheduled return. Among the children that passed in TEOE testing, frequency of attendance was 29.27%.

Conclusion: A predominance of RIHL located in perinatal phase, including prematurity and complications associated with it, such as the use of ototoxic and ICU stay was observed.

Keywords: Hearing, risk indicators for hearing loss, hearing loss.