Auditory Brainstem Response Measurements in Newborns: Which Electrode Placement Is Better?

The objective of this study was to determine the fastest and the most effective auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurement protocol for audiological diagnosis in babies up to three months of age.

Twenty-two newborns (aged 0 to 63 days) who passed the newborn screening test in at least one ear were evaluated in the study. The ABR were recorded with click stimulus using two different electrode montages (1^st montage: ipsilateral mastoid, contralateral mastoid, vertex. 2^nd montage: nape of the neck, vertex, cheek). Latencies of waves I, III, V and duration of the test were recorded and analyzed.

Wave V latencies from both electrode montages were statistically shortest at the level of 70 dBnHL and longest at the level of 20 dBnHL (p=0.00). When the duration of the test at three different intensity levels were compared between the two electrode montages, only the test durations at 50 dBnHL were significantly different (p=0.017). The test times at 70 dBnHL in the first montage were observed to be significantly different in babies aged 1 to 30 days and aged 31 to 63 days (p=0.005).

In protocols to evaluate the hearing of pediatric groups, it is very important to complete the ABR, which has significant value in early diagnosis, in a short time and reliably. It is concluded that in terms of practicality, the second montage is more advantageous and comfortable for both audiologists and newborns in single channel ABR systems.