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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
Amplitude stability of auditory brainstem responses in two groups of children compared with adults
J L Lauter1, R F Oyler, J Lord-Maes
1Institute for Neurogenic Communication Disorders, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
Insights
Auditory brainstem response (ABR) amplitude stability in children aged 6-12 and adults reveals developmental changes in the central auditory nervous system. This research confirms ongoing brainstem maturation into adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Audiology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Previous research identified systematic variations in auditory brainstem response (ABR) peak latency in children.
- These findings suggested developmental changes in the central auditory nervous system persist until age 12.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the stability of auditory brainstem response (ABR) peak amplitude across different age groups.
- To investigate developmental changes in auditory electrophysiological responses in the human brainstem.
Main Methods:
- Compared absolute amplitude, between-subjects stability, and within-subjects stability for ABR peaks.
- Analyzed individual differences in amplitude stability by peak and ear.
- Assessed the replicability of amplitude stability patterns.
Main Results:
- Systematic patterns of ABR amplitude stability were observed across all three age groups (children and adults).
- Individual differences in amplitude stability were documented.
- Replicability of stability patterns was demonstrated.
Conclusions:
- Auditory brainstem response (ABR) amplitude exhibits systematic stability patterns in children and adults.
- These findings provide further evidence for developmental changes in brainstem-mediated auditory electrophysiology continuing into adolescence.
Abstract:
A recent report indicated that patterns of systematic variation may be observed in ABR peak latency of children from two age groups, and that comparisons of the children's latency data with similar findings in adults suggest new evidence for developmental changes in the human central auditory nervous system persisting as late as 12 years of age. The current report examines the stability of auditory brainstem response (ABR) peak amplitude for the same three groups of subjects, including: (1) across-age comparisons of absolute amplitude, between-subjects group stability, and within-subjects group stability; (2) documentation of individual differences in amplitude stability by peak and by ear; and (3) demonstration of the degree of replicability of amplitude stability patterns. Results indicate that the same observations are to made for ABR amplitude as for latency; that is, systematic patterns of stability at all three ages, with details that provide additional evidence for developmental changes in brainstem-mediated auditory electrophysiological response continuing into the second decade of life.
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