Sequelae of head and neck positions on auditory performance

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Audiology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Tonic reflex activities, influenced by body posture, can affect auditory function.
• Understanding these influences is crucial for accurate auditory assessments, especially in individuals with neurological conditions like cerebral palsy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of different body postures on stapedius reflex levels, slow auditory evoked potentials (AEP), and hearing threshold levels.
• To determine if tonic reflex activity strength influences these auditory parameters in children with cerebral palsy.

Main Methods:

• Auditory parameters (stapedius reflex, AEP, hearing threshold) were measured in normal adults and normal-hearing children with cerebral palsy in various postures.
• Postures included supine, prone, a reflex-inhibiting pattern (Bobath), and a symmetrical relaxed position.
• Tonic reflex activity was clinically graded from 1-5.

Main Results:

• Posture had a small but significant influence on all measured parameters in normal adults.
• Auditory evoked potentials (AEP) in children with cerebral palsy were significantly influenced by posture.
• The influence of tonic reflex activity on AEP in children with cerebral palsy was independent of the observed strength of the activity.

Conclusions:

• Body posture and associated tonic reflex activities can subtly alter auditory measures.
• In children with cerebral palsy, tonic reflexes affect auditory evoked potentials, highlighting the importance of considering posture during auditory evaluations.