Reflexo acústico nos primeiros meses de vida

Abstract

The investigation of stapedial acoustic reflex thresholds is a test that allows analyzing the integrity of the various structures that participate in the reflex pathway and can be applied in the different age groups. However, such a procedure has not been routinely included in the clinical practice of audiological evaluation in the first six months of life due to a lack of standardization of the acoustic reflex for this age group. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the occurrence and thresholds of ipsi and contralateral acoustic reflex in the first months of life and to determine the influence of prematurity on this measure. The study consisted of 31 neonates (60 ears) with peripheral auditory pathway integrity and subdivided into two groups, infants born at term and preterm infants. The acoustic reflex was investigated with a 1 kHz probe, in order to obtain the acoustic reflex thresholds of both groups. The results showed a higher occurrence of ipsilateral reflex present than for the contralateral reflex, for the five elicitor stimuli (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz and broadband noise). In addition, it was observed that infants born at term presented lower thresholds when compared to the preterm births for both the ipsilateral and contralateral reflex. Thus, it is concluded that the achievement of ipsilateral and contralateral acoustic reflex in neonates and infants is possible even in premature infants, thus, it is emphasized the importance of including it in infant evaluation protocols. Infants born at term had a higher percentage of occurrence of ipsilateral reflex and it was found that the higher the gestational age the lower the thresholds of acoustic reflex for preterm infants.