• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.100-107
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• 2007

AABR(automated auditory brainstem response) test is used for the screening purpose of hearing ability of neonates. In this paper, algorithm using Rolle's theorem is suggested for automatic detection of the ensemble averaged ABR waveform. The ABR waveforms were recorded from 55 normal-hearing ears of neonates at screening levels varying from 30 to 60 dBnHL. Recorded signals were analyzed by expert audiologist and by the proposed algorithm. The results showed that the proposed algorithm correctly identified latencies of the major ABR waves (III, V) with latent difference below 0.2 ms. No significant differences were found between the two methods. We also analyzed the ABR signals using derivative algorithm and compared the results with proposed algorithm. The number of detected candidate waves using the proposed algorithm was 47 % less than that of the existing one. The proposed method had lower relative errors (0.01 % error at 60dBnHL) compared to the existing one. By using proposed algorithm, clinicians can detect and label waves III and V more objectively and quantitatively than the manual detection method.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.172-179
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• 2018

Objectives: To review the status of newborn hearing screening (NHS) and to investigate the effect of the examiners on NHS tests to help the quality control of NHS at a general hospital in a city. Methods: The charts of newborns from January 2015 to March 2016 and from August 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the results of tests performed by several examiners(group 1) with those performed by one audiologist (group 2) using the same automated auditory brainstem response test. Results: The screening rate and referral rate were not significantly different between group 1 and group 2. The confirmatory test rate was higher in the group 2, but it was not significant. In group 1, the number of tests performed 3 or more times in one ear at one time was significantly higher. The number of tests performed in only one ear at one time was higher in group 2. The screening rate within one month after birth was 64.21%, referral rate was 7.32%, confirmatory test rate within 3 months after birth was 21.74%, and the prevalence of hearing loss was 1.46%. Conclusions: There was no significant difference of results depending on the examiners. In order to make proper screening test, it is necessary to periodically educate the examiner and to instruct the examiner by the supervisor doctors.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.10
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• pp.1056-1060
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• 2006

Purpose : As hearing ability affects language and cognitive development, early detection and intervention of congenital hearing defects is very important. We analyzed the result of newborn hearing screening using automated auditory brainstem response and estimated the incidence of congenital hearing defects in newborn infants in Korea. Methods : Hearing screening tests were done on 7,218 newborn infants who were delivered at Cheil General Hospital from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. The first screening test was done on the second day of life with automated auditory brainstem response(AABR) using $ALGO{\bigcirc}^{(3)}$ Newborn hearing screener($Natus^{(R)}$ Medical Incorporated, San Carlos, USA) with 35 dB sound level. The newborn infants who did not pass the initial screening test took the second screening AABR test before discharge from the nursery. Infants who did not pass these screenings at the nursery were followed up at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Samsung Seoul Hospital. Results : Total 7,218 infants(83.3 percent of total 8,664 live births of the Cheil General Hospital) were screened in the nursery, and 55 of them failed to pass the newborn screening. Among 55 infants who were referred, six were lost during follow-up, and 14 were confirmed as hearing impaired. Six of them(42.8 percent) do not have any risk factors for hearing impairment. We can estimate that the incidence of hearing defects is about 1.9-2.8 per 1,000 live births. Conclusion : Automated auditory brainstem response is an effective tool to screen the hearing of newborn infants. Congenital hearing loss is more frequent than metabolic diseases on which screening tests are available in the newborn period. About 40 percent of infants who have hearing defects do not have any risk factors for hearing impairment. Therefore, universal newborn hearing screening must be recommended to all neonates.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.129-131
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• 2009

Hearing loss is one of the most common birth defects among infants. Most hearing-impaired children are not diagnosed until one to three years of age, which is too late to treat for normal speech and language development. If a hearing impairment is identified and treated in its early stage, child's speech and language skills could be comparable to his or her normal-hearing peers. In this study, we applied the 'Fsp' method to distinguish between normal and impaired hearing. We have developed a battery-operated portable A - ABR(automated auditory brain stem response) system that automatically detects hearing impairment for neonates or infants in a nursery room, as well as in a sound-proof room. We partially validated the accuracy of the system in five normal-hearing adults.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 2006.06a
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• pp.825-826
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• 2006

In this paper, we propose an algorithm that applies Rolle's theorem to automatically detect and label peak III and V of the normal, suprathreshold auditory brainstem response (ABR). ABR waveform were recorded from 55 normal-hearing ears at screening levels varying from 30 to 60 dBnHL. For each ABR waveform, the peak-finding algorithm proceeded in fourth steps: (1) Select maximum and minimum values of the target ABR waveform, (2) divide this range into n equal parts, (3) effective candidate peaks in the ABR waveform are identified using Rolle's theorem (4) peak III and V are identified from these candidate peaks based on their latency and morphology. As a result, proposed auto dectection method showed high correlation and accuracy with manual detection method performed by clinician. By using proposed algorithm, clinician can detect and label peak III and V faster and more efficient than manual detection method.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.48-55
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• 2010

Hearing impairment is one of the most common birth defects among infants. Significant bilateral hearing impairment have profound effects on speech and language development. But it can be prevented, if a hearing impairment is identified and treated in its early stage. ABR (auditory brainstem response) is useful screening tool for new born hearing test. However, the interpretation of conventional ABR should be done by a experienced audiologist and testing takes some time. Therefore, A-ABR(automated ABR) which detect ABR peak automatically have been developed recently. In contrast to A-ABR researches became active in overseas, there has been little study in Korea. In this study, we have developed a portable A-ABR system based on the results of our previous study. For the evaluation of the developed system, the clinical trials were performed on adults and infants. As a results, it showed good sensitivity (94.4%) and specificity (92.2%), and accuracy (93.0%) between clinical diagnosis and the developed A-ABR test.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.15-21
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• 2009

Hearing loss is one of the most common birth defects among infants. Most of hearing-impaired children are not diagnosed until 1 to 3 years of age - which is too late for the critical period (6 month) for normal speech and language development. If a hearing impairment is identified and treated in its early stage, child's speech and language skills could be comparable to his or her normal-hearing peers. For these reasons, hearing screening at birth and throughout childhood is extremely important. ABR (Auditory brain-stem response) is nowadays one of the most reliable diagnostic tools in the early detection of hearing impairment. In this study, we have developed the system that automatically detects if there is hearing impairment or not for infants or children. For future studies, it will be developed as a portable system to be able to take a measurement not only in sound proof room but also in nursery for neonates.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.706-710
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• 2005

Purpose : Early diagnosis of congenital hearing loss through the neonatal hearing screening test minimizes language defect. This research intends to identify frequency of congenital hearing loss in infants through neonatal hearing screening test with the aim of communicating the importance of hearing test for infants. Methods : From May 20, 2003 to May 19, 2004, infants were subjected to Automated Auditory Brainstem Response test during one month of birth to conduct the test with 35 dB sound. Infants who passed the 1st round of hearing test, were classified into 'pass' group whereas those who did not were classified into 'refer' group. Infants who did not 'pass' in the hearing test conducted within one month of birth were subjected to re-test one month later, and if classified as 'refer' during the re-test, they were subjected to the diagnosis for validation of hearing loss by requesting test to the hearing loss clinic. Results : There was no difference among the 'pass' and 'refer' group in terms of form of childbirth, weight at birth and gestational age. In the 1st test, total of 45 infants were classified into 'refer' group. Six among 35 who were subjected to re-test(17%) did not pass the re-test, and all were diagnosed with congenital hearing loss. This corresponds to 0.35%(3.5 per 1,000) among total number of 1,718 subjects. Conclusion : In our study the congenital hearing loss tends to be considerably more frequently than congenital metabolic disorder. Accordingly, newly born infants are strongly recommended to undergo neonatal hearing screening test.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.8
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• pp.845-850
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• 2006

Purpose : To assess the incidence of neonatal hearing loss in a neonatal intensive care unit and the relative importance of risk factors for hearing imparement in a neonatal intensive care unit which the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing(JCIH) had recommended. Methods : One thousand, two hundred and one newborns admitted to the Good Moonhwa Intensive Care Unit from May 2003 to December 2005 were assesed using the automated auditory brainstem response(AABR). The screening was performed on those aged more than 36 weeks and weighing more than 2,200 g. We divided the infants into two groups, 'pass' and 'refer'. The 'refer' group were retested one month later, and if classified as 'refer' during the retest, were referred to a hearing impairment clinic. Results : From the 1,201 neonates, 1,187(98.8 percent) passed the test and 14(1.2 percent) failed. 293(24.4 percent) of the 1,201 neonates had a risk factor for hearing impairment; 282(96.2 percent) passed the test and 11(3.8 percent) failed. The group with risk factors were shown to have a higher incidence of hearing loss(P<0.001). The neonates in the refer group were shown to have a higher incidence of ototoxic drugs(P<0.001), low birth weight(<1,500 g)(P<0.001) and craniofacial anomalies(P=0.007). On the other hand, there were no statistical differences between the pass and refer groups in congenital infection, hyperbilirubinemia, bacterial meningitis, low Apgar scores, prolonged mechanical ventilation and syndromes known to include hearing loss. Conclusion : In order to identify hearing-impaired infants within an appropriate period, neonatal hearing screening tests and identification of the risk factors for neonatal hearing loss are important.