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Published on: September 7, 2022
Estimations of auditory sensitivity for young cochlear implant candidates using the ASSR: preliminary results
1Department of Communication Pathology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. dswanepoel@postino.up.ac.za
Insights
The auditory steady-state response (ASSR) technique effectively assesses residual hearing in infants with profound hearing loss. This method provides crucial data when auditory brainstem response (ABR) and behavioral tests are inconclusive.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Pediatric audiology
- Hearing diagnostics
Background:
- Infants with severe-to-profound hearing loss require accurate candidacy assessment for cochlear implants.
- Traditional methods like auditory brainstem response (ABR) and behavioral audiometry have limitations in assessing profound hearing levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) technique in assessing hearing thresholds in infants.
- To determine the role of ASSR in cochlear implant candidacy evaluations for this population.
Main Methods:
- Fifteen infants (10-60 months) with severe-to-profound hearing loss participated.
- ASSR measurements were conducted at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz up to 128 dB HL.
- ASSR thresholds were compared with ABR and behavioral audiometry outputs.
Main Results:
- ASSR thresholds were obtained in 74% of measurements.
- ASSR testing exceeded maximum ABR (91%) and behavioral (84%) output intensities.
- 87% of ASSR thresholds were at or above 100 dB HL, with 47% at or above 115 dB HL.
Conclusions:
- Absent ABR and behavioral thresholds do not rule out residual hearing in infants.
- ASSR is a valuable tool for identifying residual hearing in cases of profound hearing loss.
- ASSR provides essential information for cochlear implant candidacy assessment in infants.
Abstract:
This paper presents preliminary results obtained with the use of the auditory steady-state response (ASSR) technique as part of a cochlear implant candidacy assessment protocol for infants Fifteen infants (30 ears), between 10 and 60 months of age, with severe-to-profound hearing loss participated in the study. ASSR measurements were performed for 0.5, 1, 2 and 4kHz at intensities up to 120-128dB HL. The ASSR thresholds were obtained in 74%, of the measurements, and exceeded the maximum auditory brainstem response (ABR) intensity output in 91% of cases and the maximum free-field behavioral intensity output in 84% of cases. Eighty-seven per cent of ASSR threshold measurements were measured at intensities of 100dB HL or higher, and almost half (47%) were measured at intensities of 115 dB HL and higher. Preliminary results indicate that absent ABR and behavioral thresholds do not preclude the possibility of residual hearing, making the ASSR a primary source of information regarding profound levels of hearing loss.
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