OBJECTIVE: Given health system limitations, access to timely Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing in infants is often challenging. The purpose of this study is to identify common barriers that may affect the number of ABRs needed to establish a definitive diagnosis of hearing loss in infants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of variables impacting definitive diagnosis in infants who underwent ABRs from 2019 to 2024. SETTING: Tertiary free-standing children's hospital. METHODS: Univariate and multivariable regression analyses were used to explore potential barriers with delays in time to definitive hearing loss diagnosis and management. All statistical tests were two-sided and performed at the 0.05 level of significance. RESULTS: 630 patients met inclusion criteria. Of these, 579 (92%) had received a definitive diagnosis through ABR, 322 (55.6%) of which required only one ABR. 172 (29.7%) required two ABRs and 85 (14.7%) needed three or more. Time to hearing aid fitting was significantly influenced by time to definitive diagnosis. Patients diagnosed after 3 months of age were fit with a hearing aid at a significantly older age than those diagnosed by 3 months (11.2 vs 5.9 months, P = 3 months of age (386 vs 193, P = <.001). This association held true when controlling for other variables in multivariable analysis (aHR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.38-0.55, P = <.001). CONCLUSION: Primary common barriers impacting appropriate and timely EHDI guidelines: Infant sleep state, coordination with other providers, middle ear dysfunction, distance to facility, and scheduling constraints.
Wadlow et al. (Mon,) studied this question.