Effect of hearing loss on P300 measures

Abstract

Background: P300 is among the first auditory responses in a collection of event-related or endogenous evoked responses. Hearing loss has drastically reduced cognitive abilities in individual adults. P300 is used as an electrophysiological tool to assess cognitive functions. This study was framed to compare the effect of hearing loss in P300 amplitude and latencies in Indian population. As no such study was carried out in Indian population, this study will be helpful in evaluating the correlation between hearing loss and cognitive function. Methods: We recruited a total of 60 participants out of which 30 were in group 1 having normal hearing and other 30 were included in group 2 having hearing loss. P300 was obtained using a Neurosoft instrument using tone burst stimuli The acquisition of tonal stimuli was carried out in a sound-treated room. Results: The t test value (t=4.75, p<0.001) for P300 amplitude indicates that the difference between the mean among normal hearing and hearing-impaired adult was statistically significant. But the p=0.68 for P300 latency which indicates that the difference between the two groups is not statistically significant, which accepts hypothesis that There would not exist any relationship of P300 latency in normal hearing- and hearing-impaired adults. Pearson's correlation was found that hearing loss and amplitude of P300 has a strong negative correlation and latency of P300 has a poor positive correlation with hearing loss. Conclusions: Hearing loss affects the P300 measures. Due to hearing loss cognitive decline occurs which results in reduced amplitude and prolonged latency in P300.