Abstract:ObjectiveTo evaluate the role of Titan platform in newborn hearing screening and diagnosis by using it to rescreen hearing in the highrisk newborns who failed in the initial screening.Methods223 newborns (446 ears) aged about 40 days (not more than 3 days before and after) who failed to pass the initial hearing screening were enrolled in this study. Automated auditory brainstem response (AABR), otoacoustic emission (OAE) and acoustic immittance measurement (AIM) were performed via Titan platform to all the 223 newborns. The AARB and OAE system can evaluate the results automatically. Abnormal AIM result was defined as tympanic pressure lower than -50 dapa or acoustic compliance less than 0.3 ml with 1KHz probe tone. All data were collected, the passing rates were obtained or calculated, and the results were statistically analyzed.Results436 ears passed the secondary screening by AABR and 348 ears by OAE. The passing rates were 97.76%(436/446) and 78.03%(348/446) respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Furthermore, abnormal AIM result was detected in 81 ears with an abnormal rate of 18.16%(81/446). Of the 10 ears failed secondary AABR hearing screening, abnormal AIM result was detected in one with an abnormal rate of 10%(1/10). Of the 98 ears failed secondary OAE hearing screening, abnormal AIM result was detected in 57 with an abnormal rate of 58.16%(57/98). The difference was also statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionsTitan platform is a new hearing testing instrument with AABR, OAE and AIM. It can reduce the false positive rate effectively in newborn hearing screening and early evaluate the children’s middle ear function. Furthermore, negative middle ear pressure and Eustachian tube dysfunction are the important factors for high false positive rate in newborn hearing screening.
