Refining the audiological assessment in children using narrow-band CE-Chirp-evoked auditory steady state responses

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of simultaneous binaural recording of auditory steady-state responses (ASSR) in young children using narrow-band CE-Chirps as stimuli. Design: Prospective cohort study comparing ASSR thresholds to four frequency stimuli (0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz), with click-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and behavioral response audiometry. Study sample: Thirty-two young children (mean age 7.4 ± 5.2 months) referred for auditory assessment were evaluated. Results: The mean duration for ABR recordings was 13.3 ± 7.2 min versus 22.9 ± 15.8 min for ASSR (p < 0.01). ASSR (means of 2 and 4 kHz thresholds) were highly correlated with ABR thresholds (R² = 0.935, p < 0.001), though significantly different (3 ± 10.7 dB, p = 0.02). ASSR (means of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz thresholds) were highly correlated with mean behavioral response audiometry thresholds (R² = 0.968, p < 0.001). ASSRs were highly and significantly correlated with behavioral response audiometry at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz (R² = 0.845, 0.907, 0.929, and 0.859 respectively, p < 0.001). 87.5% and 90.7% ASSR thresholds were within a ± 10 dB range around their corresponding ABR and mean behavioral response audiometry thresholds. Conclusions: Narrow-band CE-Chirps allow a fast and reliable assessment of auditory thresholds in children, especially in the low-frequency range, by comparison with other stimuli.