Brain evoked response audiometry recording from the mastoid and earlobe electrodes in normal-hearing children

Electrode placement plays an important role in Brain Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) recording. It is important to measure wave latency and amplitude accurately in determining hearing level. Young children usually have limited mastoid area, and in certain condition, it is often difficult to place the vibrator and electrodes coinciding on the mastoid. Therefore, earlobe electrode is considered as an alternative placement.

The aim was to correlate the wave V latency and amplitude on the mastoid and earlobe electrodes in BERA recording.

Our study was a cross-sectional study conducted at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia, between November 2020 and November 2021. Our subjects were infants and young children with normal hearing who underwent BERA examination. Electrodes were used to record BERA, and the electrodes were placed over the earlobes and mastoid area. Clicks at 20, 40, and 60 dB and tone burst at 500 Hz were used as stimuli for both ears.

Fifty subjects (100 ears) were included in the study. Our statistical analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between wave V latencies from mastoid and earlobe electrode. Moderate correlation was also found in wave V amplitude between both electrodes.

Our study has demonstrated that placing electrodes on the earlobe area is reliable, particularly in certain condition when placing the electrodes on the mastoid area is not possible.