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Bias in scoring auditory brainstem responses
D Gans1, D Del Zotto, K D Gans
1Speech and Hearing Clinic, Kent State University, Ohio 44242.
British Journal of Audiology
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Judges assessing auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds were influenced by preliminary information, even experienced ones. This bias was more pronounced in difficult ABR waveform analyses.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing is crucial for assessing hearing in children.
- Scoring bias in ABR threshold estimation can impact diagnostic accuracy.
- Understanding factors influencing ABR interpretation is vital for reliable clinical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of scoring bias on Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) threshold estimation in multi-handicapped children.
- To determine if judge experience mitigates bias in ABR waveform analysis.
- To identify conditions under which ABR scoring bias is most prevalent.
Main Methods:
- Fifty multi-handicapped children's ABR waveforms were analyzed by nine judges.
- Judges received either true or false ABR threshold information before estimation.
- Waveforms were re-evaluated with reversed biasing information to assess consistency.
Main Results:
- Judges exhibited bias when provided with preliminary threshold information, affecting their ABR threshold estimations.
- More experienced judges demonstrated higher accuracy but were not immune to bias.
- The influence of bias was significantly greater in ABR analyses deemed more difficult.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary threshold information can introduce significant bias in ABR interpretation, regardless of judge experience.
- Difficult ABR waveform analyses are more susceptible to scoring bias.
- Strategies to mitigate bias are essential for accurate ABR threshold determination in pediatric audiology.