O uso da frequência de 4khz para decisões clínicas no diagnóstico audiológico até 6 meses de idade

Abstract

Introduction: Early audiological diagnosis is crucial for overall child development. Therefore, it is essential to have protocols that make the whole process be carried out in the most agile and quick way possible. Objective: To identify whether the 4kHz frequency can guide clinical choices for performing the audiological diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss in infants up to 6 months of age. Methodology: The study was carried out with 13 children who were diagnosed with hearing loss up to 6 months of age. TEOAE, DPOAE, BAEP and tympanometry were performed. Results: Regarding gender and ear variables, no statistically significant differences were found. Observing the results of the thresholds found in the four frequencies, the averages of 500Hz, 1kHz, 2kHz and 4kHz were 41dBeHL, 43dBeHL, 50dBeHL and 55dBeHL respectively, with 4kHz having the highest results and the lowest standard deviation. As for the degree, in mild and moderate losses, statistically significant results were found in the observation of the 4kHz thresholds in comparison to the other frequencies. In identifying the degrees of loss, 4kHz is the frequency that makes the most distinction between mild and moderate and mild and profound losses. Conclusion: It was observed that there is a greater impairment in the higher frequencies, with 4kHz being the most affected in the case of sensorineural hearing loss.