Published Paper Details:

Abstract Background: Threshold estimation of Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and Auditory steady state response (ASSR) changes from birth to three months to six months. If the audiologists and physicians should have a good diagnostic accuracy of threshold estimations, then they can provide a good health care for the patient. Objective: Objective of the study was to measure ASSR & ABR threshold and Vth wave latency of ABR in infants immediately after their birth, after three months and six months. Another objective was to compare the ABR and ASSR parameters after birth, three months and six months. Methodology: The study was done as a pilot study to find out threshold estimation prior to screen hearing loss in neonates. Study design was longitudinal study with follow ups. 30 healthy infants who fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in the study. Parameters of ABR and ASSR were recorded after birth, three months and sixth month and were compared. Results: Of the 30 infants were evaluated, 17 subjects were males and 13 subjects were females (43.33%). The mean latency of fifth wave was 7.35 after birth, 6.95 at 3 months and 6.53 at 6 months. In the ABR threshold estimation at birth were responded with mean value of 33.58, after 3 month responded with 31.67 and further responded with 29.00 after 6 months. The mean ASSR threshold at 0.5 KHz, 1 KHz, 2KHZ & 4 KHz was 24.72 after birth, 22.80 at three months and 21.65 at 6 months. All these parameters after birth, at third month and sixth month were statistically significant(p<.0001). Conclusion: All the parameters were reduced from birth to 6th month. So the age of infant must take into consideration while screening hearing loss. Even the threshold of ASSR and ABR varies with frequency, variations with different populations and even also with machine. So while screening hearing loss, all of these factors must be taken into consideration.