EFFECTS OF ADVERSE PERINATAL EVENTS ON HEARING

The hearing sensitivity for frequencies 8 kHz through to 18 kHz was co mpared between children with adverse perinatal factors (study group) a nd children without adverse perinatal factors (control group). Childre n in both groups had hearing at levels of 20 dB HL or better in the fr equency range between 250 Hz to 8 kHz with normal middle ear pressure. High frequency hearing tests showed that the mean high frequency hear ing threshold levels were worse in the study group. Statistical analys is showed significant differences in hearing levels at and above 12 kH z frequencies between the study and control groups. The hearing levels were found to be more significantly affected in females as compared t o males, indicating that the high frequency hearing of females was mor e vulnerable to damage. The results indicate that adverse perinatal ev ents are associated with raised high frequency thresholds in both sexe s, especially in females.