Objective : To assess neonates and children suffering from meningitis , during the critical and recovery periods , using ABR , EOAE and Behavioral Audiometry.
Method and Material: 40 neonates to 12-year-old children were assessed. Using ABR test, the hearing of these cases was evaluated during the critical period-that is , 24-72 hours following the diagnosis. This test was repeated when patients recovered from meningitis-that is 24 hours before discharge (recovery period) Hearing function , again , was assessed 7-14 days following discharge through Immittance Audiometry, Behavioral Audiometry (PTA , SF and BOA). And EOAE (TEOAE and DPOAE) tests procedures.Findings: During the critical period , ABR test revealed normal hearing in 35 patients (87.5%) and severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (unilateral and bilateral) in 5 patients (12.5%-girl=4, boy=1). The same result were obtained in re-evaluation in the recovery period. On the other hand , 7-14 days after of discharge , Immittance Audiometry and Behavioral Audiometry (including PTA , S.F and BOA tests), confirmed the mentioned results (cross - gcheck). EOAE test (DPOAE and TEOAE) in 35 normal hearing patients (according to ABR test) , showed normal cochlear function. 2 out of 5 cases suffering from severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss revealed normal cochlear function. According to EOAE results , abnormal cochlear function was evident in 3 patients.
Conclusion: ABR , EOAE tests , and Behavioral Audiometry in children meningitis during the critical period and recovery period can be used to diagnose any degree of hearing loss with a high level accuracy. The results of persent study is confirmed by previous investigations.