The effect of hyperbilirubinemia on the efferent hearing system in newborn, Baskent University, institute of health sciences

In this study, it was aimed to compare the integrity of efferent auditory pathways of newborn with a high hyperbilirubinemia level and who should receive treatment and healthy counterparts. This study was carried out in newborn who were born as term (37 weeks and above) and presented at Baskent University Hospital Newborn Policlinic. A total of 84 neonates, who were healthy (n = 42) and who had undergone jaundice phototherapy (n = 42), were included in the study. This study was carried out at Baskent University Ear Nose Throat (ENT) outpatient clinic. The transient otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) test was performed both in the absence and presence of contralateral noise after a general ENT examination in all neonates participating in the study. Contralateral suppression values obtained were compared between groups. In the TEOAE test, the responses received at 1 kHz were found to be statistically different between groups (p =0.038). TEOAE responses of the neonates who received phototherapy were lower than those of the healthy ones. No statistically significant difference was observed in the other frequencies and total otoacoustic emission (OAE) values between the two groups (p> 0.05). While the total OAE suppression value was found to be 1.52 ± 6.52 in neonates receiving phototherapy, it was 3.58 ± 5.33 in healthy infants. A statistically significant difference was obtained between the two groups (p = 0.026). When the groups were evaluated separately for contralateral suppression values based on frequencies, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (p> 0.05). Based on the data obtained, we think that hyperbilirubinemia may have a disruptive effect on the efferent auditory system in neonates. In conclusion, we believe that the MOC suppression test to be performed in addition to hearing screening in risky newborn will be beneficial.