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A Comparative Analysis of Click ABR and Multi-ASSR in Assessing Infant Hearing: A Cross-Sectional Study
Sanjay Kumar1, Anghusman Dutta1, Rashmi Natraj2
1Department of ENT-HNS, Command Hospital Airforce, Bangalore, Karnataka India.
Insights
This study compared Click Auditory Brainstem Response (Click ABR) and Multiple Auditory Steady-State Response (Multi-ASSR) for infant hearing screening. Both methods are effective, with Click ABR offering efficiency and Multi-ASSR providing detailed frequency-specific data for early intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Audiology
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Early identification of infant hearing loss is critical for cognitive and language development.
- Established guidelines from JCIH and AAA emphasize timely hearing assessments.
- Click Auditory Brainstem Response (Click ABR) is a common screening tool, while Multiple Auditory Steady-State Response (Multi-ASSR) offers advanced capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comparatively evaluate the effectiveness of Click ABR and Multi-ASSR in identifying hearing impairments in infants.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy and identify differences in hearing threshold detection between the two methods.
- To inform optimal strategies for infant hearing screening and early intervention.
Main Methods:
- A comparative analysis involving 111 infants aged 1-6 months undergoing hearing screening.
- Application of both Click ABR and Multi-ASSR techniques to assess auditory function.
- Statistical analysis to compare detection rates, hearing loss incidence, and auditory thresholds.
Main Results:
- Click ABR identified normal hearing in 87.4% of infants, slightly higher than Multi-ASSR (84.7%).
- Both methods detected a higher incidence of bilateral versus unilateral hearing loss.
- A statistically significant difference in auditory thresholds (mean discrepancy 1.2 dB, p < 0.001) was observed between Click ABR and Multi-ASSR.
Conclusions:
- Click ABR and Multi-ASSR are essential tools in pediatric audiology, each possessing distinct advantages.
- Click ABR is efficient for rapid screening and early detection of hearing loss.
- Multi-ASSR provides comprehensive, frequency-specific data crucial for detailed evaluations and targeted interventions.
Abstract:
Introduction: This study investigates the comparative effectiveness of Click Auditory Brainstem Response (Click ABR) and Multiple Auditory Steady-State Response (Multi-ASSR) in identifying hearing impairments in infants. Recognizing auditory issues early is crucial for a child's cognitive and language development, as emphasized by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH) and the American Academy of Audiology (AAA). While Click ABR is widely utilized, Multi-ASSR offers a modern technique for detailed hearing assessment. Methods: A comparative analysis was conducted on 111 infants aged 1-6 months, previously screened for hearing at a tertiary care centre. The study employed both Click ABR and Multi-ASSR to evaluate their respective efficacy in assessing infant hearing. Results: Click ABR detected normal hearing in 87.4% of the infants, slightly higher than Multi-ASSR's 84.7%. A noteworthy finding was the higher incidence of bilateral versus unilateral hearing loss, with Click ABR identifying bilateral loss in 10 infants and unilateral loss in 4, compared to Multi-ASSR, which found bilateral loss in 12 infants and unilateral loss in 5. There was a minor but significant difference in auditory thresholds between the methods, with a mean discrepancy of 1.2 dB and a significant statistical variance (t-value of 15; p < 0.001), indicating variations in sensitivity. Conclusion: Both Click ABR and Multi-ASSR are indispensable tools in paediatric audiology, each with unique advantages. Click ABR excels in efficiency, suitable for rapid assessments and early detection. In contrast, Multi-ASSR offers comprehensive frequency-specific data, facilitating thorough evaluations. Healthcare professionals must grasp these methods' strengths to optimize infant hearing screenings and enhance early intervention strategies, aligning with JCIH and AAA guidelines.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-024-04639-2.
