[Systematic hearing diagnosis in the premature infant. The Magdeburg model].

Almost 50% of all hearing disorders found in children are acquired. To a large extent these hearing disorders are caused by premature birth and can be detected by suitable screening. Two methods have proved useful for such testing: (1) Reflex audiometry with a standardized stimulus generator; and (2) bedside recording of brainstem potentials. Having tested the method of bedside recording of brainstem potentials we examined a group of 60 infants of varied body weights and otherwise normal findings as a "normal" control group. At all click intensities measured, premature infants weighing from 1500 to 2000 g showed a latency increase by about 0.7 ms when compared to infants weighing in excess of 2000 g. Premature infants showing signs of maturation adequate for gestational age were not at greater risk for hearing disorders. In contrast, premature infants weighing less than 1500 g and having marked hyperbilirubinemia as week as extensive intracranial bleeding always showed increased wave V latencies. Ten percent of these infants had severe hearing disorders requiring special pecaudiological training. Overall findings showed the great usefulness of audiometric screening in a pediatric hospital center for detecting hearing disorders in premature infants.