Chirp-Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response in Children: A Review

The aim of this study was to assess the use of the chirp stimulus to record auditory brainstem responses in the pediatric population via a traditional review.

An electronic search of the literature and a hand search of the literature were conducted. Studies that utilized chirp stimuli within the pediatric population that met all of the inclusion criteria were included in this review. Qualitative synthesis and interpretation of the data were completed.

Seven studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. Chirp stimuli produce auditory brainstem response (ABR) waveform amplitudes in children similar to those in adults when presented at moderate to low frequency levels. Latency data from chirp stimuli are not consistent when stimulus presentation rates are altered. Test-retest reliability when using the chirp stimulus was found to be good, as were sensitivity and specificity of chirp-evoked ABRs utilized in a newborn hearing screening protocol.

Reviewed studies indicated that when presented at 60 dB nHL or lower, broadband chirp-generated ABRs have larger amplitudes than click-generated ABRs in children with normal hearing. Utilization of chirp stimuli decreases test time because waveforms are easier to detect with increased synchronization. Further research should focus on correlating chirp thresholds with behavioral hearing thresholds. Given the variance of results in these select studies, future research should also evaluate latency findings and focus on developing normative data for infants with hearing impairment and normal hearing.