Usefulness of behavioral test of hearing as a rapid public health screening tool for infants

Abstract

Early identification and treatment of infants with hearing loss is paramount to achieving a reduction of hearing disability in the society. However, the standard equipments required for this screening are not readily available in most health facilities in developing countries. This study therefore assessed the usefulness and effectiveness of behavioral test of hearing as a public health tool for screening infants for hearing loss. It was a cross sectional study of infants at the immunization clinic of Adeoyo Maternity Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the caregivers to assess the hearing of the infants. All the participants had both behavioral test of hearing and evoked otoacoustic emission test carried out on them. Two hundred and sixty two infants, 127 (48.5%) males and 135 (51.5%) females participated in the study. A sensitivity value of 66.7%, specificity value of 86.9%, positive predictive and negative predictive values of 5.6% and 99.6% respectively were obtained for the behavioral test of hearing. Behavioral tests of hearing as a public health tool can provide useful information for the initial and early identification of infants with hearing loss. Such infants identified with hearing loss by behavioral test of hearing would then be referred for further audiologic evaluation and management.

Keywords

Behavioral test of hearing - hearing loss - infants - otoacoustic emission