Normative aspects of the pediatric auditory brainstem response

Area of Science:

• Audiology
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Brainstem electric response audiometry (BERA) is widely used for clinical assessment of auditory, otoneurologic, and neurologic deficits.
• Despite its prominence, BERA faces challenges in universal acceptance due to numerous variables affecting response measurement.
• Lack of established standards hinders the full clinical utility of BERA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review technical, physiological, and pathological factors influencing brainstem response measurements.
• To highlight the importance of defining and controlling response variability for reliable BERA application.
• To address obstacles hindering the universal acceptance and standardization of BERA.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of factors affecting brainstem electric response audiometry.
• Analysis of technical parameters impacting response measurement.
• Examination of physiological and pathological influences on auditory brainstem response.

Main Results:

• Response variability in BERA is influenced by a multitude of technical, physiological, and pathological factors.
• These variables collectively impede universal acceptance and the establishment of standardized BERA protocols.
• Defining and controlling these variables is critical for confident clinical application of BERA.

Conclusions:

• Standardization of BERA requires a thorough understanding and control of response variability.
• Addressing the identified factors is key to enhancing the reliability and clinical utility of BERA.
• Further research and consensus on controlling variables are needed for widespread BERA adoption.