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Effects of auditory pathway maturation on hearing loss diagnosis.

Bibliographic Details
Title: Effects of auditory pathway maturation on hearing loss diagnosis.
Authors: Savioli S; Surgery Department, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy. sabrina.savioli@uniroma1.it.; Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience and Psychiatry Ph.D. program, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy. sabrina.savioli@uniroma1.it., Mancini P; Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience and Psychiatry Ph.D. program, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy.; Department of Sense Organs, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy., De Seta D; Department of Sense Organs, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy., Turchetta R; Department of Sense Organs, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy., Frisina A; Surgery Department, San Bortolo Hospital, Vicenza, Italy., Russo FY; Department of Sense Organs, University Sapienza of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Source: European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery [Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol] 2026 Jul; Vol. 283 (7), pp. 4357-4364. Date of Electronic Publication: 2026 Apr 29.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: Springer International Country of Publication: Germany NLM ID: 9002937 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1434-4726 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09374477 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Original Publication: Heidelberg : Springer International, c1990-
MeSH Terms: Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem*/physiology , Auditory Pathways*/growth & development , Auditory Pathways*/physiopathology , Hearing Loss*/diagnosis , Hearing Loss*/physiopathology, Neonatal Screening/methods ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Female ; Acoustic Impedance Tests ; Male ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Premature ; Auditory Acuity
Abstract: Purpose: The maturation of auditory pathways in newborns, particularly in pre-terms, is a crucial process influencing the accuracy and timeliness of early audiological diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of postnatal auditory pathway maturation on hearing loss diagnosis by comparing early and later ABR assessments in pre-term and full-term newborns.
Methods: Seventy-eight newborns (156 ears) were enrolled and divided by gestational age. All underwent initial screening, clinical Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR), tympanometry, and evaluation of diagnostic timing. Statistical analyses were performed with Jamovi (v.2.3.28).
Results: In full-term newborns, the initial screening significantly predicted ABR outcomes, whereas no such correlation emerged in pre-terms. However, pre-terms showed a significant improvement in ABR thresholds over time, consistent with postnatal maturational effects on auditory pathway function. Additionally, pathological tympanograms (type B) were associated with a delayed diagnosis.
Conclusions: These findings stress the need for tailored protocols and extended follow-up in pre-term newborns, as well as early detection of middle ear conditions to minimize both under- and over-diagnosis.
(© 2026. The Author(s).)
Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval: The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments, and with the current legislation in Italy. Ethical approval was waived by the local Ethics Committee due to the retrospective nature of the study, which utilized previously collected clinical data. Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
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Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Auditory brainstem response; Auditory maturation; Neonatal hearing screening; Otitis media with effusion; Pre-term infants; Tympanometry
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20260428 Date Completed: 20260721 Latest Revision: 20260813
Update Code: 20260813
PubMed Central ID: PMC13388375
DOI: 10.1007/s00405-026-10205-z
PMID: 42050140
Database: MEDLINE
Description
ISSN:1434-4726
DOI:10.1007/s00405-026-10205-z