Use of auditory evoked potentials in screening children for integrity of auditory pathways

Abstract

Background: Auditory evoked potentials (AEP) can be used to assess the integrity of auditory pathway for early hearing loss and planning rehabilitative procedures. It is noninvasive and can be performed in uncooperative and difficult-to-test children under mild sedation. Aims and Objective: To determine the hearing threshold to assess the integrity of auditory pathway in children of suspected hearing loss and to find out the importance of AEP where other screening tests cannot be performed. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital and Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra, India. It included 80 children of suspected hearing loss in the age group of 1–12 years, referred under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan program. Brainstem auditory responses were recorded in these children using multichannel polyrite system. Silver chloride disk electrodes were used on standard scalp locations. Results: Our results showed that 40 of 80 children were having definite mild-to-severe hearing loss. In nearly 50% children hearing loss was confirmed by AEP. In remaining 40 children, brainstem electric response audiometry showed normal responses indicating normal hearing. Of 80 suspected children, 20 were either uncooperative or not fit for any other screening tests for hearing. AEP showed that of these 20 children, 12 (15% of total), were having sensorineural loss that helped them in seeking treatment. Conclusion: Our results concluded that AEP at present is one of the most useful tools for assessment of integrity of auditory pathway and detection of early hearing loss, and it can greatly contribute in its management. It can definitely be used in screening for deafness and assessing the nature of hearing loss, particularly in patients who cannot perform in the usual audiometric procedures. It can also be used to assess the maturity of central nervous system in newborn and young children.