Clinical Case · Foundation

Newborn follow-up after a screening referral

Vignette

A 6-week-old infant is referred for diagnostic assessment after a unilateral refer on otoacoustic-emission newborn screening. The baby sleeps naturally for the recording. A multiple-frequency ASSR is obtained at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz in both ears.

Audiogram

-10020406080100120500 Hz1k Hz2k Hz4k HzHearing level (dB HL)
O Right earX Left ear
Estimated thresholds by ear. O = right, X = left.

ASSR finding

Statistically present responses persist down to low intensities at every carrier in both ears; estimated thresholds, after correction, are consistent with normal hearing.

Diagnostic question

How should this ASSR result be interpreted?