ASSESSMENT OF USEFULNESS OF OBJECTIVE AND AUDIOMETRIC METHODS IN HEARING SCREENING OF SCHOOLCHILDREN

Sliwa L (1), Kochanek  K (1), Pilka  A (1), Senderski A (1), Sulkowski W (2), Skarzynski PH (1).

(1) Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing, Warsaw, Poland; (2) Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland.

In newborn hearing screening, one exclusively applies objective hearing testing methods – based on ABR and/or OAE. However, when testing schoolchildren, one can consider both audiometric and electrophysiological methods. The choice of methods is determined by the aims of the program. If one wants to detect conductive hearing losses, impedance audiometry seems to be the method of choice. In the case of central processing disorders, one should use psychoacoustic tests, such as Gap Detection Test (GDT), Dichotic Digit Test (DDT), etc. However, if the screening program is aimed at detecting both conductive and sensorineural impairments, one can alternatively consider application of tone and/or speech audiometry.

The aim of the work was to compare the effectiveness of audiometric and objective methods - OAE and impedance audiometry, in application to hearing screening of schoolchildren. The examinations were carried out in a group of 190 children of 12 years of age (6th grade of primary school). The results obtained with the use of specific methods were compared. Practical aspects of application of particular methods in school conditions were discussed.

E-mail: l.sliwa@ifps.org.pl