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Otoacoustic Emissions: A Valid, Efficient First-Line Hearing Screen for Preschool Children |
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| Authors: | Larry Yin MD MSPH Christine Bottrell BA Noreen Clarke RN MSN Janice Shacks BSN RN PHN Marie K . Poulsen PhD |
| Affiliation: | Assistant Professor, (), Department of General Pediatrics, USC Keck School of Medicine, USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd, MS 76, Los Angeles, CA 90027.; Project Assistant, Child Health-Works, MD Candidate, University of California, San Francisco, and MPH Candidate, Harvard University School of Public Health, (), 4650 Sunset Blvd, MS #140, Los Angeles, CA 90027.; Project Director, (), Child Health-Works, USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd, MS#140, Los Angeles, CA 90027.; Nurse Liaison, (), Infant Preschool Support Services, Los Angeles Unified School District, 333 South Beaudry Ave, 16th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017.; Professor, (), Department of General Pediatrics, USC Keck School of Medicine, USC University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Blvd, MS #53, Los Angeles, CA 90027. |
| Abstract: | Background: Normal hearing during the preschool years is essential for speech, language, social, emotional, and preacademic development. Children of low socioeconomic status may be particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of late identification and intervention. While a mass-screening effort focused on preschool children does not have broad support, focused screening remains important to identify children at risk. This project was conducted to address 3 primary aims: develop and implement an initial hearing screen using transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) for at-risk preschoolers, verify speed and tolerability of the screen, and assess the test performance of TEOAEs screening compared to pure tone audiometry in a group of 142 preschool children. Methods: A total of 744 preschool children attending preschools in an underserved, urban community completed TEOAEs screening by a school nurse. A secondary cohort of 142 children was screened first by TEOAEs and then followed by pure tone audiometry and results compared. Results: A total of 680 children passed screening. Forty-one children (5.5%) had a "refer" result. Two-year-olds had the highest refusal rate (10.5%). Mean testing time was 43 seconds per ear. Secondary cohort analysis revealed 1 subject did not pass either TEOAEs or pure tone screening; no subject passed TEOAEs and then did not pass pure tone audiometry. TEOAEs screening test sensitivity was 1.00 (95% confidence interval 0.054-1.00) and specificity 0.94 (0.88-0.97). Conclusions: TEOAEs screening performed by school nurses is a fast, efficient, and feasible model. Children who pass TEOAEs screening have a very high likelihood of being free from hearing impairment. Application may be particularly relevant in underserved communities. |
| Keywords: | preschool school nursing practice special populations health service applications growth and development |