Affiliations: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University College
Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Ayotunde J. Fasunla, M.D., Department of
Otorhinolaryngology, University College Hospital, P. M. B 5116, Ibadan,
Nigeria. E-mail: ayofasunla@yahoo.com
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
