Comparing auditory steady-state responses amplitude evoked by simultaneous air- and bone-conducted stimulation in newborns

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential interactions of the simultaneous presentation of air- and bone-conducted stimuli on auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) amplitude in newborns. Design: Bone- and air-conducted stimuli were sinusoidal carrier tones of 500 and 2000 Hz respectively modulated in amplitude (95% depth). Air- and bone- conducted stimuli were either simultaneously recorded in the same ear using insert earphones and bone vibrator respectively, or recorded individually (single stimulation). Study sample: Sixty-nine well babies (135 ears) with ages ranging from 1 to 16 days (mean of 9.2 ± 7.9 days) were tested in this study. Results: No significant changes in ASSR amplitude by air-conducted stimuli were observed when evoked by simultaneous or single stimulation. The same trend prevailed for ASSR amplitudes evoked by bone-conducted stimuli. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the simultaneous stimulation of air-and bone-conducted stimuli does not alter ASSR amplitude values in well babies. Therefore, the results support the use of this technique as a potential hearing screening tool to discriminate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.