Abstract
A behavioral observation audiometry (BOA) was conducted at 1kHz and 3kHz at the hearing level of 50dB and 70dB on 208 babies who were first seen at less than 2 months old for newborn hearing screening. A comparative review was made between the results of the BOA and the subsequent definitive diagnosis.
Almost 100% of the cases who responded to 50dB and approximately 90% of those who responded to 70dB were found to have unilateral or bilateral normal hearing at definitive diagnosis and a high-level of profound deafness was rare. However, 26.5% of the cases with unilateral/bilateral normal hearing did not respond to the BOA. As for the level of the subjects' sleep, more responses were obtained when the babies were tested at the onset of sleep rather than when they were awake or sleeping.
Although it is impossible to detect deafness or estimate the level of deafness when infants show no response to the BOA before 2 months of age , if any response is obtained, it serves as good reference material for extensive testing and diagnosis, as well as being useful information for educating the parents.
