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Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
06:34

Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations

Published on: July 1, 2015

The maturational process of the auditory system in the first year of life characterized by brainstem auditory evoked

Raquel Beltrão Amorim1, Raquel Sampaio Agostinho-Pesse, Kátia de Freitas Alvarenga

  • 1Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Bauru School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Bauru, SP, Brazil.

Journal of Applied Oral Science : Revista FOB
|April 19, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) track auditory nerve and brainstem activity in infants. Latency of BAEP waves matures significantly in the first year, with brainstem components showing the most change.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Audiology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) reflect electrophysiological activity from the cochlear nerve to the inferior colliculus.
  • Infancy is a period of significant neuronal plasticity, influencing BAEP maturation.
  • BAEP responses mature around 18 months in full-term newborns, resembling adult patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish normative values for BAEP absolute latencies (waves I, III, V) and inter-peak intervals (I-III, III-V, I-V) in full-term infants.
  • To assess BAEP in infants without hearing impairment risk factors within a specific audiology program.
  • To provide reference data for infant hearing health evaluations.

Main Methods:

  • BAEP were recorded using rarefaction click stimuli at 80 dBnHL, 21.1 c/s, with a 30-3000 Hz filter and 2000-stimulus average.
  • A cohort of 86 infants was analyzed, categorized by gestational and chronological age (0-29 days, 30 days-5 months 29 days, >6 months).
  • Preterm infants (n=12) and full-term infants (n=74) were included in the analysis.

Main Results:

  • Wave I absolute latency in infants was comparable to adults by the first month, indicating mature auditory nerve function.
  • Waves III and V absolute latencies showed a progressive decrease with age.
  • This age-related decrease in latency for waves III and V signifies the maturation of brainstem axons and synaptic processes.

Conclusions:

  • Infant age is a critical determinant of BAEP component absolute latencies, particularly for brainstem-generated potentials.
  • The findings highlight the dynamic maturation of the auditory pathway during the first year of life.
  • Established normative data are essential for accurate interpretation of BAEP in infants.
Abstract

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