Detection rates of cortical auditory evoked potentials at different sensation levels in infants with sensory/ neural hearing loss and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder

Abstract

With the introduction of newborn hearing screening infants are being diagnosed with hearing loss during the first few months of life. For infants with a sensory/ neural hearing loss (SNHL) the audiogram can be estimated objectively using auditory brainstem response (ABR) testing, and hearing aids prescribed accordingly. However this is not the case for infants with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) due to the abnormal/absent ABR waveforms. Alternative measures of auditory function are needed to assess the need for amplification, and evaluate whether aided benefit has been achieved.