Assessment of low-frequency hearing with narrow-band chirp-evoked 40-Hz sinusoidal auditory steady-state response

Objective To determine the clinical utility of narrow-band chirp-evoked 40-Hz sinusoidal auditory steady state responses (s-ASSR) in the assessment of low-frequency hearing in noisy participants. Design Tone bursts and narrow-band chirps were used to respectively evoke auditory brainstem responses (tb-ABR) and 40-Hz s-ASSR thresholds with the Kalman-weighted filtering technique and were compared to behavioral thresholds at 500, 2000, and 4000?Hz. A repeated measure ANOVA and post-hoc t-tests, and simple regression analyses were performed for each of the three stimulus frequencies. Study sample Thirty young adults aged 18–25 with normal hearing participated in this study. Results When 4000 equivalent response averages were used, the range of mean s-ASSR thresholds from 500, 2000, and 4000?Hz were 17–22?dB lower (better) than when 2000 averages were used. The range of mean tb-ABR thresholds were lower by 11–15?dB for 2000 and 4000?Hz when twice as many equivalent response averages were used, while mean tb-ABR thresholds for 500?Hz were indistinguishable regardless of additional response averaging. Conclusion Narrow-band chirp-evoked 40-Hz s-ASSR requires a ～15?dB smaller correction factor than tb-ABR for estimating low-frequency auditory threshold in noisy participants when adequate response averaging is used.     

脑性瘫痪患儿听性脑干反应及多频稳态听性反应分析

目的：通过听性脑干诱发反应（ABR）及听性稳态反应（ASSR）分析，探讨脑性瘫痪（脑瘫）患儿的听力障碍及脑干听通道功能变化。方法：采用美国GSIAudera听性脑干反应及听性稳态诱发电位测试仪，测试脑瘫患儿52例104耳。对照组为同龄健康儿童19例38耳。结果：脑瘫组患儿的ABR各波潜伏期及峰间潜伏期均较对照组明显延长；脑瘫组ASSR结果以轻度低频听力损失为著，并且各频率听力损失的平均值非常接近。结论：ABR和ASSR同时应用，为脑瘫患儿听力损失进行定性定量诊断提供了客观的测试方法。     

Comparison of auditory steady-state response and click-evoked auditory brain response in infants with different types and degrees of hearing loss

Abstract

Background: Auditory steady-state response (ASSR) and click-evoked auditory brain response (c-ABR) have been used for hearing assessment for decades years, the correlation of the two methods and the effects of type and degree of hearing loss (HL) to the correlation in infants younger than 6?months of age are unclear.

Objectives: To compare the correlation of ASSR and c-ABR and then to analyse the effects of type and degree of HL on the correlation in infants younger than 6?months of age.

Material and methods: Retrospective study comparing ASSR thresholds at various frequencies with c-ABR thresholds. 182 ears from 96 infants were assessed and classified according to types and degrees of HL.

Results: The correlation coefficients were: 0.823, 0.864, 0.891, 0.871, 0.908, 0.915 and 0.913 between ASSR thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 2–4, 1–2–4, 0.5–1–2–4?kHz and c-ABR thresholds respectively. The correlation coefficients in the group of sensorineural HL (SHL) (r?=?0.763–0.900) were higher than conductive HL (r?=?0.309–0.619) across all frequencies. The coefficients of severe-profound SHL (r?=?0.595–0.790) were higher than mild-moderate SHL (r?=?0.434–0.687) across all frequencies.

Conclusions and significance: ASSR was one valuable cross-check measure by providing frequency specific information in auditory assessment.     

气导和骨导ABR在先天性外耳道闭锁小儿听力评估中的应用

目的研究先天性外耳道闭锁小儿气导和骨导短声诱发的听性脑干反应（auditory brain stem response,ABR）的特点,评价骨导ABR的应用价值。方法将受试者分为两组。组1（闭锁组）为16例（21耳）先天性外耳道闭锁患者,年龄在1～13岁之间,平均为5．62岁;组2（对照组）为正常听力小儿15例（25耳）。年龄在1～13岁之间,平均为6．1岁。比较两组气、骨导ABR的特点。结果闭锁组气、骨导ABR反应阈值分别为（73．81±7．4）dBnHL和（6．19±4．98）dBnHL,正常组分别为（23．20±4．76）dBnHL和（5．60±5．07）dBnHL。30dBnHL刺激强度下闭锁组骨导ABR潜伏期与对照组相比差异无显著性。闭锁组气、骨导ABR阈值差值与正常组相比差异有显著性。结论骨导ABR可以用于评估先天性外耳道闭锁患者的耳蜗功能。     

Comparison of auditory steady-state responses and auditory brainstem responses in audiometric assessment of adults with sensorineural hearing loss

Objective

Many of the medico-legal patients who claimed compensation may exaggerate hearing loss that varies in degree, nature, and laterality. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Auditory Steady-State Response (ASSR) could be used to predict the hearing level of adults, and whether ASSR could become a better testing method than Auditory brainstem response (ABR) in audiometric assessment of adults with sensorineural hearing loss.

Methods

This was a prospective study, which was conducted in a tertiary referral hospital. From January to June 2007, 142 subjects (284 ears) with varying degrees of sensori-neural hearing impairment were included in this study. Four commonly used frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz) were evaluated. All subjects received pure-tone audiometry, multi-channel ASSR, and ABR tests for threshold measurement. The correlation of pure tone thresholds with ASSR and ABR thresholds were assessed.

Results

Between multi-channel ASSR and pure tone thresholds, a difference of less than 15 dB was found in 71% while a difference of less than 25 dB was found in 89% of patients. The correlation coefficient (r) of multi-channel ASSR and pure tone thresholds were 0.89, 0.95, 0.96, and 0.97 at 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz, respectively. The strength of the relationship increased with increasing frequency. On the other hand, between ABR and pure-tone thresholds, a difference of less than 15 dB was found in 31%; a difference of less than 25 dB was found in 62% of patients. The r correlation value for ABR and pure tone thresholds was 0.83.

Conclusion

ASSR is a more reliable test for the accurate prediction of auditory thresholds than ABR. It can be a powerful and convenient electro-physiologic examination tool for clinically assessing of adults with sensorineural hearing loss.     

不同程度感音神经性听力损失儿童ASSR、click-ABR反应阈与行为听阈的相关性

目的 探讨不同程度感音神经性听力损失儿童听性稳态反应(ASSR)、短声听性脑干反应(click-ABR)与行为阈值的相关性及在听障儿童听力评估中的价值.方法 回顾性分析2019年1月至2019年12月确诊的46例(92耳)感音神经性听力损失儿童的ASSR、click-ABR及行为听阈结果,其中,轻度听力损失4耳,中度听...     

Comparison of threshold estimation in infants with hearing loss or normal hearing using auditory steady-state response evoked by narrow band CE-chirps and auditory brainstem response evoked by tone pips

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare air-conduction thresholds obtained with ASSR evoked by narrow band (NB) CE-chirps and ABR evoked by tone pips (tpABR) in infants with various degrees of hearing loss. Design: Thresholds were measured at 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000?Hz. Data on each participant were collected at the same day. Study sample: Sixty-seven infants aged 4 d to 22 months (median age?=?96 days), resulting in 57, 52, 87 and 56 ears for 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000?Hz, respectively. Results: Statistical analysis was performed for ears with hearing loss (HL) and showed a very strong correlation between tpABR and ASSR evoked by NB CE-chirps: 0.90 (n?=?28), 0.90 (n?=?28), 0.96 (n?=?42) and 0.95 (n?=?30) for 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000?Hz, respectively. At these frequencies, the mean difference between tpABR and ASSR was ?3.6?dB (±?7.0), ?5.2?dB (±?7.3), ?3.9?dB (±?5.2) and ?5.2?dB (±?4.7). Linear regression analysis indicated that the relationship was not influenced by the degree of hearing loss. Conclusion: We propose that dB nHL to dB eHL correction values for ASSR evoked by NB CE-chirps should be 5?dB lower than values used for tpABR.     

Analysis of audiological results of patients referred from newborn hearing screening program

Conclusion: As tools of confirmation of sensorineural hearing loss in neonates who are ‘referred’ from a newborn hearing screening program, both ASSR and DPOAE have high sensitivity and specificity. In addition, ASSR can be used as a substitute for ABR. Objectives: To analyze the confirmative audiological results of patients referred from a newborn hearing screening program. Patients and method: From January 2007 to December 2013, hearing tests were performed on 474 babies (804 ears) who were ‘referred’ from the hospital or other maternity centers. Auditory brainstem response (ABR), auditory steady-state response (ASSR), and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were used for hearing evaluation. Results: Of 474 babies (804 ears), 232 had normal hearing, while 242 babies (358 ears) had over 30 dB nHL threshold from ABR. Among the 156 babies (312 ears) who underwent both ABR and ASSR, the mean ASSR threshold had a strong correlation with ABR threshold (r = 0.942, p < 0.001). Assuming that ABR results were the yardstick of abnormal hearing, sensitivity and specificity of ASSR to ABR were 90.6% and 95%. DPOAE tests were performed on 180 babies (360 ears), with sensitivity of 85.9% and specificity of 84.4%.     

ASSR、Tb-ABR和c-ABR在正常听力人群客观听阈评估中的相关性分析

目的：研究多频听觉稳态反应（ASSR）、短纯音听觉脑千诱发电位（Tb-ABR）和短声听觉脑干诱发电位（c-ABR）反应阈与纯音听阈（PTA）在正常听力人群中的差别和相关性。方法：对正常听力的受试者（共58耳）进行ASSR、Tb-ABR和c-ABR以及纯音测听检查,分别得出前三者测试的反应阂并与PTA进行相关性分析。结果：ASSR和Tb-ABR的反应阈均与同频率的PTA具有良好的相关性;Tb-ABR的反应阈与PTA的值接近,ASSR反应阈与PTA间的差值较大;c-ABR与PTA2、4kHz听阈的均值呈线性相关。结论：ASSR和Tb-ABR都是较好的评估行为听阚的频率特异性客观测听方法,Tb-ABR结合c-ABR能较好地反映PTA。     

Estimating audiometric thresholds using simultaneous acquisition of ASSR and ABR from QASSR in patients with sensorineural hearing loss

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy with which the innovative QASSR method predicts behavioral thresholds in adult patients with sensorineural hearing loss. Design: Subjects were tested at four carrier frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000?Hz).The resulting QASSR recordings were analyzed for thresholds and magnitude/phase characteristics. Tone-burst ABR was recovered from QASSR signal using CLAD method and analyzed in the time domain. The electrophysiological estimates were compared to hearing thresholds determined behaviorally. Study sample: Sixteen ears of nine volunteer subjects recruited from a clinical population. Results: All mean threshold estimates differed less than 3?dB for QASSR and less than 5?dB for ABR at 1000, 2000 and 4000Hz (carrier or pure-tone test frequencies). The largest differences were observed for both at 500?Hz (5.63 and 11.56?dB respectively).The audiometric configurations of QASSR and ABR estimates followed those of the respective behaviorally determined configurations across ears tested. Conclusions: QASSR method merges two dissimilar stimulation techniques, transient and steady-state, to create a hybrid stimulation-and-analysis paradigm that seems to improve the overall performance of the electrophysiological threshold estimation. The unique feature of the QASSR technique is the additional information afforded by the transient ABR, recovered from the same recording. The QASSR thus holds promise to be a very useful tool for practical clinical applications.     

Maturation of binaural interaction components in auditory brainstem responses of young guinea pigs with monaural or binaural conductive hearing loss

Summary Reversible conductive hearing loss created during the first 4 weeks post partum caused marked alterations in the maturation of binaural interaction components in the auditory brainstem responses of guinea pigs. In untreated control animals all three components investigated demonstrated postnatal development in terms of latency shortening that was completed during the first 3 weeks of life. Plugging of both external ear canals caused a significant delay in the maturation of the late component DN₂, where latency values of the controls were reached only 2 weeks after the end of the treatment, i.e. after 6 weeks of life. Monaural deprivation likewise led to a retarded development of peak latencies during the phase of imbalanced sensory imput. After the end of the one-sided conductive hearing loss the maturation process was markedly enhanced, even resulting in latency values for DN₂ and DP₁ that were significantly shorter than those of the controls. This phenomenon persisted until the end of the study period and was the case for both plugged and untreated ears in this group of animals. The time course of latencies in two other groups of experimental animals which were deprived in the same way as adults suggests that the effects observed are due to a sensitive period in the maturation process of the auditory pathway.     

多频听觉稳态反应与40Hz听相关电位对儿童客观听阈评估的比较

目的通过对感音神经性聋患儿的多频听觉稳态反应（multiple frequency auditory steady--state response，MFASSR）测试结果进行分析，并比较其在0．5 kHz处与40 Hz听相关电位（40Hz auditory event related potential，40 Hz AERP）对客观听阈评估的准确性，为MFASSR临床应用提供指导。方法对感音神经性聋儿进行纯音测听、ABR、40 Hz AERP和MFASSR测试。MFASSR与ABR、40 Hz AERP测试均在睡眠状态下进行。按照测试结果分为ABR未引出组与ABR引出组。结果①MFASSR在0．5 kHz处引出率比40 Hz AERP低。②0．5 kHz MFASSR反应阈对纯音听阈的评估较1、2、4 kHz MFASSR反应阈对纯音听阈的评估差。③以纯音听阈为标准，在0．5 kHz处MFASSR与40 Hz AERP对纯音听阈的评估差别具有统计学意义（P=0．001），说明，在0．5 kHz处MFASSR对纯音听阈评估的准确性不如40 Hz AERP。结论MFASSR反应阈对0．5 kHz处纯音听阈的预测需要结合40 Hz AERP来判断。     

The prediction of hearing thresholds with auditory steady-state responses for cochlear implanted children

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the efficacy of auditory steady-state response (ASSR) in predicting cochlear implanted children's actual behavioural thresholds at various frequencies. METHODS: Twenty-two children with cochlear implants (Nucleus 24 devices) participated in this study. Behavioural thresholds and/or ASSR in cochlear implanted children were obtained to determine the predictive accuracy rates and errors by comparing the estimated range of thresholds with the actual behavioural thresholds. RESULTS: Stable ASSR threshold results were obtained in 22 cochlear implanted children. The predictive accuracy rates were the highest and prediction errors were the smallest at 4000 Hz, among the four tested frequencies, using either the Rance 1995 or the Rance 2002 linear regression formulae. The Rance 2002 regression formulae had a higher predictive accuracy and fewer errors than the Rance 1995 regression formulae in predicting the hearing threshold of cochlear implanted patients at all tested frequencies. CONCLUSIONS: Both behavioural thresholds and ASSR thresholds revealed significant improvements after cochlear implantation. ASSR may be used as a tool in predicting hearing thresholds after cochlear implantation in children. The predictive accuracy is best at 4000 Hz with the Rance 2002 linear regression formulae.     

新生儿耳聋多因素logistic回归分析

目的探讨新生儿耳聋的发病情况和听力筛查结果多因素分析。方法回顾性分析2002年6月～2004年12月我院出生的有条件进行TEOAE筛查的4666例新生儿并使用筛查登记表收集病例资料中的相关信息,对收集到的资料进行单因素与多因素logistic回归分析。结果新生儿TEOAE第一次筛查通过率80.5%,第二次筛查通过率91.5%,第三次筛查通过率53.3%。对3次筛查不通过的46人行ABR测试,其中14人双耳通过,16人双耳不通过,16人单耳不通过,新生儿耳聋患病率6.9‰(32/4666)。单因素分析发现多胎、外耳畸形、窒息病史、低体重、高胆红素血症、早产、阿氏评分<7分等因素与新生儿TEOAE筛查通过率相关。多因素logistic回归分析确定外耳畸形、窒息病史、低体重、高胆红素血症等为危险因素。结论外耳畸形、窒息病史、低体重、高胆红素血症等因素的是新生儿耳聋高危因素,应对新生儿围产期高危影响因素积极预防和治疗,减少耳聋发病率。     

正常青年人多频稳态听觉诱发反应测试

目的 :测定正常青年人多频稳态听觉诱发反应 (ASSR)阈值 ,为临床诊断提供客观依据。方法 :选正常青年人 2 2例 (4 4耳 ) ,行ASSR阈值测试。结果 :在 0 .2 5～ 8.0kHz频区间 ,ASSR平均阈值约在 4 0～ 6 0dBHL之间 ,从低频到高频其阈值越来越高 ,0 .2 5kHz、0 .5kHz、1.0kHz处的ASSR平均阈值约为 4 0dBHL ,2 .0kHz处约为 4 5dBHL ,4 .0kHz处约为 5 0dBHL ,8.0kHz处约为 6 0dBHL。ASSR阈值与纯音听阈间差值多在2 5～ 5 5dBHL之间 ,从低频到高频其阈差值越来越高 ,0 .2 5kHz处的差值约为 2 5dBHL ,0 .5kHz处约30dBHL ,1.0kHz处约 35dBHL ,2 .0kHz处约 4 0dBHL ,4 .0kHz处约 5 0dBHL ,8.0kHz处约 5 5dBHL。结论 :正常青年人ASSR阈值与纯音听阈间有一定差值。利用这一差值 ,通过测试ASSR阈值可推断出被检查者纯音听阈的阈值     

Sound lateralization test in patients with unilateral microtia and atresia after reconstruction of the auricle and external canal and fitting of canal-type hearing aids

Conclusion: In patients with unilateral microtia and atresia after reconstruction of the auricle and external canal and fitting of a canal-type hearing aid for the operated ear, the ability to discriminate the inter-aural intensity difference (IID) was acquired in all of the patients, whereas that to discriminate inter-aural time difference (ITD) was acquired in one-half of the patients. Objective: To study the post-operative sound lateralization ability in patients with unilateral microtia and atresia after reconstruction surgery of the auricle and external canal and fitting of a canal-type hearing aid of the operated ear. Methods: Eighteen patients with unilateral microtia and atresia ranging from 13–24 years of age were recruited in this study. All of them underwent reconstruction of the auricle and external canal and were fitted a canal-type hearing aid for the operated ear. The sound lateralization test was conducted to determine IID and ITD using a self-recording apparatus. The test stimulus was a continuous narrow-band noise at 500 Hz and 50 dBHL presented to the right and left ears through the air conduction receivers. Results: IID could be measured in all of the patients, whereas ITD could be measured in only nine out of the 18 patients. Post-operative binaural hearing could be acquired in all the patients.     

Frequency-specific objective audiometry: Tone-evoked brainstem responses and steady-state responses to 40 Hz and 90 Hz amplitude modulated stimuli

Tone-evoked Auditory Brainstem Responses (tone-burst ABRs) and Auditory Steady-State Responses (ASSRs) with 40 or 90 Hz amplitude modulation (AM) were compared, using the same equipment and recording parameters, to determine which of these three methods most accurately approached the behavioural hearing thresholds in response to 500 Hz and 2000 Hz stimuli in eleven awake adults with normal hearing.

Estimates of the thresholds obtained with the three methods were 10, 18, and 26 dB SL at 500 Hz; and 10, 12, and 22 dB SL at 2000 Hz; using 40 Hz ASSR, 90 Hz ASSR, and tone-burst ABR, respectively. ASSRs with 40 Hz AM stimuli produced significantly better results (lowest thresholds with SD?=?0), whereas the wave-V analysis on the tone-burst ABR produced the poorest results. In the averaged ABRs, a robust steady-state potential was also visible. Analysis of those steady-state responses showed estimated thresholds of 13 and 14 dB SL (at 500 and 2000 Hz, respectively), thus considerably better than the estimated thresholds from the wave-V analysis.

It is concluded that the 40 Hz ASSR showed superior results, especially at 500 Hz.

Sumario

Utilizando el mismo equipo y los mismos parámetros de prueba, se compararon las respuestas auditivas de tallo cerebral evocadas por tonos ABR de burst tonales y las respuestas auditivas de estado estable (ASSR) con 40 o 90 Hz de modulación de amplitud (AM), para determinar cual de estos tres métodos se aproximaba con mayor exactitud a los umbrales auditivos comportamentales en 500 y 2000 Hz, en 11 adultos normoyentes despiertos.

La estimación de los umbrales obtenidos con los tres métodos fueron 10, 18 y 26 dBSL a 500 Hz y 10, 12 y 22 dBSL a 2000 Hz con 40 Hz ASSR, 90 Hz ASSR y ABR de pips tonales, respectivamente. Las ASSR con estímulo de 40 Hz AM produjeron resultados significativamente mejores (umbral menor con SD?=?0), mientras que el análisis de la onda V en los ABR con burst tonales generó los resultados más pobres. En los ABR promediados, se pudo observar un potencial de estado estable robusto. El análisis de las respuestas de estado estable mostró umbrales estimados de 13 y 14 dBSL (500 y 2000 Hz, respectivamente), que son considerablemente mejores que los umbrales del análisis de la onda V. Se concluye que las ASSR de 40 Hz muestran resultados superiores, especialmente a 500 Hz.     

An initial overestimation of sensorineural hearing loss in NICU infants after failure on neonatal hearing screening

Objective

Infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units have a higher incidence of significant congenital hearing loss. We classified audiologic diagnoses and follow-up in infants who had been admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit.

Methods

We included all infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Sophia Children's Hospital between 2004 and 2009 who had been referred for auditory brainstem response measurement after failing neonatal hearing screening with automated auditory brainstem response. We retrospectively analyzed the results of auditory brainstem response measurement.

Results

Between 2004 and 2009 3316 infants admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit had neonatal hearing screening. 103 infants failed neonatal hearing screening: 46 girls and 57 boys. After first auditory brainstem response measurement we found 18% had normal hearing or a minimal hearing loss. The remainder had a type of hearing loss, distributed as follows: 15% conductive, 32% symmetric sensorineural, 14% asymmetric sensorineural, and 21% absent auditory brainstem responses. Repeated auditory brainstem response measurement showed a shift in hearing outcome. The main difference was an improvement from symmetric sensorineural hearing loss to normal hearing. However, in a small percentage of children, the hearing deteriorated.

Conclusions

As many as 58% of infants in this high-risk population who failed the neonatal hearing screening were diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss or absent auditory brainstem responses. An initial overestimation of sensorineural hearing loss of about 10% was seen at first auditory brainstem response measurement. This may be partially explained by a conductive component that has resolved. Finally, in a small percentage of children the hearing deteriorated.     

Auditory brainstem evoked responses in insulin-dependent (ID) and non-insulin-dependent (NID) diabetic subjects with normal hearing

Hearing impairment has been reported to be one of the late complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), and the frequency varies. Previous data suggest that auditory brainstem potentials deteriorate long before the hearing impairment appears in patients with DM. Delay in neural conductance along the auditory pathway due to DM was assessed by means of auditory brainstem response (ABR) in 43 patients with normal hearing in a controlled study. Patients were classified according to age, presence of neuropathy, metabolic control, and duration and type of DM. ABR recordings revealed that absolute latencies of waves I, III and V were prolonged significantly in the diabetic group when compared to the control group ( p < 0.05). When two diabetic groups (insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent) were compared with each other, the difference between the latency of wave I and the inter-peak latencies of I–III, III–V and I–V was not significant ( p > 0.05). However, the difference between the latencies of waves III and V in the two diabetic groups was statistically significant. The duration of diabetes, blood glucose level and age were not associated with prolonged ABR latencies ( p > 0.05). Prolongation of latency of ABR in patients with DM should alert us to possible damage to the auditory nerve, and close follow-up is needed in these patients.