Gender differences in binaural speech-evoked auditory brainstem response: are they clinically significant?

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Speech-language pathology

Background:

• Auditory evoked potentials are valuable for diagnosing central auditory deficits.
• Limited research exists on speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (ABR) using binaural stimulation.
• Known gender disparities in speech-ABR require quantification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the magnitude of gender differences in speech-ABR between monaural and binaural stimulation.
• To investigate the impact of stimulation mode on speech-ABR gender disparities.

Main Methods:

• 34 healthy Asian adults (16 males, 18 females) aged 19-30 participated.
• Speech-ABR was recorded using the synthesized syllable /da/.
• Stimulation was delivered monaurally and binaurally.

Main Results:

• Binaural stimulation yielded significantly higher speech-ABR amplitudes than monaural stimulation (p<0.05).
• No significant differences in latencies were found between stimulation modes (p>0.05).
• Substantive gender differences (d>0.80) were observed in most speech-ABR peaks for both monaural and binaural conditions.

Conclusions:

• Distinct patterns in gender differences emerged between monaural and binaural stimulation modes.
• Clinically significant gender disparities necessitate gender-specific normative data for speech-ABR.
• Preliminary normative data for Asian adults are provided for future research.