Related Experiment Videos
Effect of high altitude on human auditory brainstem responses
S B Singh1, L Thakur, J P Anand
1Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences, Timarpur, Delhi-110 054.
Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
|November 4, 2004
Summary
Hypobaric hypoxia significantly delays brain stem auditory evoked potentials (BAERs) at high altitudes. Ascent to 4300m showed increased latencies in auditory pathways, impacting sensory conduction.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Altitude Physiology
- Auditory Neuroscience
Background:
- Hypobaric hypoxia, experienced at high altitudes, can affect neurological functions.
- Brain Stem Auditory evoked potentials (BAERs) are crucial for assessing the integrity of the auditory pathway from the cochlea to the brainstem.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of varying altitudes on Brain Stem Auditory evoked potentials (BAERs).
- To determine how hypobaric hypoxia influences auditory pathway conduction times.
Main Methods:
- BAERs were recorded in 30 volunteers at sea level, 3200m, and 4300m in the Himalayas.
- Standardized auditory stimuli (100 µs clicks at 15/sec) were used.
- Recordings were taken on day 4 of exposure at each altitude.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in absolute peak latency of wave V was observed at 3200m.
- Further ascent to 4300m resulted in increased absolute peak latencies for waves I and III.
- These findings suggest a delay in sensory conduction within the medullo-pontine auditory pathways.
Conclusions:
- Hypobaric hypoxia at high altitudes affects the brainstem auditory pathway.
- Ascending to 4300m exacerbates delays in auditory signal processing, indicating impaired neural conduction.