Purpose:
To study the results from the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) using the CE-chirp® stimulus at 30 and 35 dBHL.
Methods
The AABR was conducted in 40 newborns with and without risk indicators for hearing loss using both clicks and CE-chirp® stimuli at 30 and 35 dBHL. The diagnostic ABR was also performed, as gold-standard procedure. “Pass/refer” results were analyzed, and validation values and response detection times were determined.
Results
The “pass” results were more frequent with the CE-chirp® AABR, at both intensities tested. However, this difference was significant only for the left ear, at 30 dBHL. There was no significant difference between the two intensities for the “pass/fail” results obtained with CE-Chirp® and click stimuli. The mean response detection time was lower for the CE-chirp® stimulus at both intensities. This finding was significant at 35 dBHL for both ears, and at 30 dBHL for the right ear. Significant differences were found between intensities for the right ear.
Conclusion
The CE-Chirp® stimulus showed good specificity and short response detection time at 30 dBHL. Further studies with hearing loss are needed to investigate the sensitivity of this stimulus at this intensity.
Hearing tests; Infant; Newborn; Hearing; Hearing loss; Diagnosis