Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
Behavioral Assessment of Hearing in 2 to 4 Year-old Children: A Two-interval, Observer-based Procedure Using Conditioned Play-based Responses
Published on: January 23, 2017
Monotic versus dichotic multiple-stimulus auditory steady state responses in young children
Jennifer L Hatton1, David R Stapells
1School of Audiology & Speech Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Insights
This study on auditory steady state responses (ASSR) in children found that while amplitudes slightly decreased with two-ear stimulation, this method remains more efficient for clinical use in infants and young children.
Area of Science:
- Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Auditory Steady State Responses (ASSR) are crucial for assessing hearing in infants.
- Previous studies noted unexpected amplitude decreases and increased EEG noise with two-ear stimulation in infants, unlike in adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate findings on infant auditory steady state responses (ASSR) comparing one-ear versus two-ear stimulation.
- To determine the clinical efficiency of one-ear versus two-ear ASSR protocols in young children.
Main Methods:
- Compared ASSR amplitude and EEG noise in 19 children using one-ear (4 stimuli) versus two-ear (8 stimuli) multiple stimuli.
- Stimuli were presented at 60 dBHL.
Main Results:
- A small but significant decrease in ASSR amplitudes was observed from one-ear (40.1 nV) to two-ear (37.9 nV) stimulation.
- No significant difference in EEG noise levels was found between the one-ear and two-ear conditions.
Conclusions:
- Despite minor amplitude reductions, two-ear stimulation is more efficient for assessing hearing in infants and young children with normal hearing.
- The findings support the clinical utility of two-ear ASSR protocols for pediatric audiological assessments.
Abstract:
In their recent study on infant multiple auditory steady state responses (ASSR), the authors found that ASSR amplitudes unexpectedly decreased when switching from 1-ear stimulation to 2-ear stimulation, a result not present in adults. In addition, residual EEG noise levels increased in the 2-ear condition. In the present study, to determine whether to use 1-ear or 2-ear multiple ASSR Protocols clinically, the authors tested a new group of 19 young children to determine whether these unexpected findings could be replicated. ASSR amplitude and EEG noise were compared for 1-ear (4 stimuli) versus 2-ear (8 stimuli) multiple stimuli presented at 60 dBHL. Results indicated a small but significant decrease in amplitudes going from 1-ear (40.1 nV) to 2-ear (37.9 nV) multiple stimuli. EEG noise was not significantly different between the 2 conditions. Despite small amplitude decreases, the 2-ear stimulus condition was more efficient for infants and young children with normal hearing.
