M François1, E Dehan2, M Carlevan2, H Dumont2. 1. Service d'ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, Hôpital Robert-Debré, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France. Electronic address: martine.francois@rdb.aphp.fr. 2. Service d'ORL et Chirurgie Cervico-Faciale, Hôpital Robert-Debré, 48, boulevard Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In patients who cannot or will not cooperate in behavioral hearing assessment, electrophysiological examinations are used, but are time-consuming because the subject has to remain immobile. The aim of this study was to assess whether auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) are sufficiently reliable, compared to auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and free-field audiometry, for assessment to begin with ASSR instead of ABR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed between January 2012 and April 2013, including children less than 6 years of age who could not be tested via headphones. ASSR and ABR were measured during natural sleep or under phenobarbital-alimemazine sedation. Subjective pure-tone audiometry was performed, using the visual reinforcement audiometry method, in 69 children who were able and willing to cooperate. RESULTS: A total of 175 children were included. ASSR and ABR thresholds showed good positive correlation (338 ears; Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.87). Behavioral thresholds correlated significantly with ASSR thresholds (Student t-test for matched series; P<0.05). ASSR thresholds were usually better than behavioral thresholds, with a difference of 8-15dB HL. CONCLUSION: ASSR is reliable in children under 6 years of age, and should be performed before ABR when hearing threshold rather than latency is to be determined.
OBJECTIVE: In patients who cannot or will not cooperate in behavioral hearing assessment, electrophysiological examinations are used, but are time-consuming because the subject has to remain immobile. The aim of this study was to assess whether auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) are sufficiently reliable, compared to auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and free-field audiometry, for assessment to begin with ASSR instead of ABR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed between January 2012 and April 2013, including children less than 6 years of age who could not be tested via headphones. ASSR and ABR were measured during natural sleep or under phenobarbital-alimemazine sedation. Subjective pure-tone audiometry was performed, using the visual reinforcement audiometry method, in 69 children who were able and willing to cooperate. RESULTS: A total of 175 children were included. ASSR and ABR thresholds showed good positive correlation (338 ears; Pearson's correlation coefficient, 0.87). Behavioral thresholds correlated significantly with ASSR thresholds (Student t-test for matched series; P<0.05). ASSR thresholds were usually better than behavioral thresholds, with a difference of 8-15dB HL. CONCLUSION: ASSR is reliable in children under 6 years of age, and should be performed before ABR when hearing threshold rather than latency is to be determined.
Authors: C Aimoni; L Crema; S Savini; L Negossi; M Rosignoli; L Sacchetto; C Bianchini; A Ciorba Journal: Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital Date: 2018-08 Impact factor: 2.124