The auditory steady-state response: clinical observations and applications in infants and children

Two studies illustrate the use of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) in the pediatric clinical audiology setting. A protocol for estimating bone-conduction thresholds from ASSR was developed. Bone-conducted narrow-band noise was used to mask the ASSR for a 1.0-kHz modulated tone. The amount of bone-conducted noise needed to mask the ASSR may distinguish between infants and children with conductive hearing losses and those with sensory losses. The amount of bone-conducted noise may also be used to estimate bone-conduction thresholds; however, the accuracy of this technique needs verification with behavioral methods to determine thresholds for bone-conducted pure tones in infants. When ASSR tests are used as part of the diagnostic evaluation for infants and children at risk for hearing loss, the results yield information about the audiometric contour and residual hearing, which aid in treatment and habilitation decisions.