Ωto_abR: A Web Application for the Visualization and Analysis of Click-Evoked Auditory Brainstem Responses

Aristotelis Ballas,Panagiotis Katrakazas

doi:10.3390/digital1040014

Aristotelis Ballas, Panagiotis Katrakazas

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/digital1040014

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Abstract

Since its inception by Jewett and Williston in the late 1960s, the auditory brainstem response (ABR) has been an indispensable diagnostic tool, used by audiologists around the world. Click-evoked ABR testing proves to be a reliable tool, as it provides an objective representation of the auditory function, an estimate of hearing thresholds and the ability to pinpoint a potential issue in the auditory neural pathway. The present study describes state-of-the-art ABR analytics-related platforms and provides an overview of their functionality. In conjunction, we introduce the design and development of a newly developed, user-friendly web application, built in R language. This application provides several well-known and newly key characteristics for the analysis of ABR waveforms. These include absolute peak latencies, amplitudes, and interpeak latencies.

Highlights

Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) are measures of electrical events generated within the auditory brainstem pathway [1]
Hearing-related problems are present when longer latencies exist for all ABR waves; additional problems can be found when checking the (a) absolute latency interaural difference of wave V, (b) the interpeak interval interaural difference among wave I–V, (c) the absolute latency of wave V, (d) the absolute latencies and interpeak interval latencies among waves I–III, I–V, III–V and (e) the absent auditory brainstem response in the involved ear [2]
The added value of our approach lies in the fact that clinicians and physicians are provided the ability to remotely examine previous ABR data of a patient without needing to be physically present in the audiological equipment room, by uploading the appropriate files

Summary

Introduction

Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) are measures of electrical events generated within the auditory brainstem pathway [1]. Hearing-related problems are present when longer latencies exist for all ABR waves (namely waves I–V); additional problems can be found when checking the (a) absolute latency interaural difference of wave V, (b) the interpeak interval interaural difference among wave I–V, (c) the absolute latency of wave V, (d) the absolute latencies and interpeak interval latencies among waves I–III, I–V, III–V and (e) the absent auditory brainstem response in the involved ear [2]. This highlights that waves I, III, and V are the most common and most frequently used ABR indicators. The enhancement of graphical user interfaces suitable for the fast performance of test paradigms and robustness against errors while providing simultaneous calculation and minimizing errors by having an online tool, serves as an auxiliary means to enhance, and not compete, with commercial devices and overcome possible irritation caused by software conflicts in hospital systems, as shown by the increased satisfaction in similar cases of other healthcare areas [7,8,9]

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Conclusion