OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the hearing status of children with a risk indicator for hearing loss. METHODS: From March 2007 to March 2008, 25 children with a risk of hearing loss were referred for evaluation of hearing acuity. Their hearing was evaluated using impedance audiometry and pure tone audiometry (PTA). All of them performed neonatal hearing screening in this hospital. RESULTS: A total of 25 children, within 4 years of age, performed all the tests, with 52%female and 48% male and with the following risk indicators: low birth weight; a low Apgar score in the first minute,fifth minute, or both; hyperbilirubinemia; congenital infections; and cases of deafness in the family. Among them, 56% had normal hearing acuity, 44% had hearing loss in 1ear, 54% had conductive hearing loss, and 45% had sensorineural hearing loss. Degree of hearing impairmentwas mild in 18%, moderate in 27%, and profound in 18% of the subjects. CONCLUSION: In the follow-up hearing tests, the majority had normal hearing acuity, but a considerable number of them exhibited some kind of hearing loss, mainly conductive hearing loss. The monitoring of the hearing status of children with a risk indicator for hearing loss is necessary for early intervention.
