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Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
Pre-perioperative, transtympanic electrically evoked auditory brainstem response in children
Paul R Kileny1, Teresa A Zwolan
1Department of Otolaryngology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0312, USA. pkileny@umich.edu
International Journal of Audiology
|March 1, 2005
Summary
Perioperative electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) effectively assesses cochlear implant candidacy in children. EABR thresholds correlate with preoperative hearing, aiding ear selection and preventing implantation in non-stimulable ears.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Cochlear implantation in children requires accurate assessment of auditory nerve function.
- Electrically evoked auditory brainstem response (EABR) is a tool for evaluating neural integrity.
- Perioperative EABR characterization is crucial for optimizing cochlear implant outcomes.
Observation:
- EABR wave V latency did not differ significantly between younger (10-36 months) and older (37-60 months) pediatric patients.
- A significant difference in pure-tone average was observed between high (≥650 µA) and low (≤600 µA) EABR threshold groups.
- Children with post-meningitic deafness showed prolonged EABR wave V latencies.
Findings:
- Perioperative transtympanic EABR is a reliable clinical measure in pediatric cochlear implant recipients.
- EABR thresholds correlate with preoperative hearing levels, indicating neural responsiveness.
- Etiology of hearing loss, specifically post-meningitic deafness, impacts EABR latency.
Implications:
- Transtympanic EABR can reduce the risk of implanting a non-stimulable cochlear nerve.
- EABR serves as a valuable tool for clinicians in selecting the optimal ear for cochlear implantation.
- This technique enhances the precision of cochlear implant candidacy evaluation in young children.
