Assessment of aminoglycoside-induced hearing impairment in hospitalized neonates by TEOAE.

Context: Aminoglycosides, as potent bactericidal antibiotics against aerobic gram-negative infections, is still widely used, especially in NICU patients, despite their known potential ototoxic effects.

Aims: To evaluate the potential of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) in early identification of decreased hearing sensitivity in hospitalized neonates receiving aminoglycosides for severe gram-negative infections.

Materials And Methods: Fifty (50) neonates treated with intravenous gentamicin (5 mg/kg/day) or amikacin (15 mg/kg/day) were tested with TEOAE in the beginning and the end of aminoglycoside therapeutic course.