الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract In order to prevent noise included hearing impairment; noise at different places in the NICU and inside and outside incubator should be assessed , recorded and monitored . Also noise level exceeding 45 dB SPL should be avoided ( American Academy of Family Physicians ,2000) The aim of the present study was to identify the effect of noise in the NICU on neonates ( acquired hearing impairment ). And to assess the value of using ear protectors (e.g. carplug and earmuff) by covering the ears of those neonates . The total sample was ” 665” neonates admitted to NICU at Assiut University Hospital ( 2001 -2004),31 cases were excluded from the study sample because they had hearing impairment on admission . The passed cases ( n= 634 newborns or 1268 ears ) were divided into two groups , the first group was the control group ( n= 395), and the second was the study of protected group ( n= 239). This latter group of meonates worn ear protectors on admission until discharge while the control group did not Method of data collection were infant data sheet, , environmental noise measurement ,hearing test and second modification . The noise level inside and outside incubators was measured by using sound level meter. Neonates in both groups were tasted for hearing by TEOAE test on admission. Only those with normal results were includes in the study. Transient Evoked Otacoustic Emission tests was reported for both groups on discharge to detect cases with hearing impairment . Any infant who didn’t pass the test on discharge was reevaluated 2 months and in case of new failure , the test was repeated at 4 months of the infant’s age. |