Role of Otoacoustic Emissions in Hearing Assessment of Children with Autism

• Faria M. Elbabour

  Department of otolaryngology-Head & Neck Name, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Libya

  Author

Evaluation of hearing is essential in the diagnostic process of children suspected having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The aim of this study was to examine the efficiency and feasibility of utilizing otoacoustic emissions as an objective test to assess hearing in children diagnosed with ASD. A pilot study was conducted over a period of 3 years (from September 2019 to November 2022) in the Audiology Department at the Center for Specialty Surgeries, Benghazi, Libya. A total of 61 children with autism aged between 2-15 years referred for hearing evaluation were enrolled in the study. The clinical procedure consisted of otoscopic ear examination, and Otoacoustic Emission (OAE) recording. OAE testing was attempted on the study sample (n 51) who met the inclusion criteria. And successfully completed for 44 participants (86%): 40 cases (91%) from the first attempt while 4 cases (9%) needed a second or more visit. Four autistic children (9%) had absent otoacoustic emissions in one ear. Testing couldn't be completed for 7 children (14%) due to behavioral difficulties. Results of this study showed the feasibility of using Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) in assessment of hearing for children with autism for whom obtaining reliable behavioral responses can be challenging.

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