A comparison of the human voice (“Baah”) test and the automated auditory brainstem response in detecting neonates with hearing loss in a community setting

Objective@#To assess the usage of the “Baah” Test compared to the AABR (Automated Auditory Brainstem Response) in detecting hearing loss of neonates in the community setting. @*Methods@#This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. The targeted sample population are infants less than a month old who underwent screening at a testing facility in Malolos, Bulacan spanning the years 2011 and 2012. @*Results@#A total of 201 infants were included in the study, with a mean age of 10.77 days with a standard deviation of 7.79. The ratio of males to females was almost equal at 1:1.01. For infants who passed hearing screening on at least one ear, 96% (193 infants) correlated with the results of “Baah” testing. For those with bilateral refer results on AABR, 4 out of the 6 correlated with the “Baah” Test. @*Conclusion@#There is potential in using the “Baah” Test as a tool for hearing loss assessment of infants in situations wherein the usual hearing screening tests are inaccessible. It makes use of little resources, and though it does have its limitations in assessing for unilateral hearing loss (as the test cannot test ears in isolation), it would be able to identify infants likely to have bilateral hearing loss.

Assessment of Wave V latency and Wave I-V Interpeak latency in preterm babies by Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry

Background: Early screening of hearing impairment optimizes communication, social, academic, and vocational outcomes for each child with hearing loss measurement of the auditory brain stem response which is considered the most sensitive method of assessing the auditory activity of neonates. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to compare wave V latency and interpeak I-V latency by brainstem auditory evoked response in preterm babies (32 weeks–36 weeks) with age-specific normal response and intergroup comparison (Group 1–32 weeks, Group 2–34 weeks, and Group 3–36 weeks) for the identification of hearing impairment if any. Materials and Methods: The present study was done on 50 preterm newborn, and after satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria, preterm babies were subdivided into three groups on the basis of gestational age (Group A: 32 weeks [n = 12], Group B: 34 weeks [n = 18], and Group C: 36 weeks [n = 20]). Babies were subjected to brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) test on RMS EMG EP MARK-II machine in the neurophysiology unit of the Department of Physiology, Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal. Interpretation of the data as compared to normal values was done. Results: A trend toward decrease in absolute peak latencies of wave V with advancing gestational age was observed indicating progressive maturation, but the values recorded in all the three groups were longer as compared to the normal term values suggesting impairment in the maturation process. Wave I-V interpeak latencies values showed appreciable prolongation in all groups as compared to normal term values. Conclusion: The present study has shown that the preterm babies had altered BERA findings signifying hearing impairment.

Frequency-Following Response and Auditory Behavior in Children with Prenatal Exposure to the Zika Virus

Abstract Introduction Prenatal exposure to the Zika virus can impair neurodevelopment and cause auditory damage. Objective To analyze the frequency-following response (FFR) and the auditory behavior (with the LittlEars® questionnaire) of children with and without prenatal exposure to Zika virus infection. Methods A total of 30 children participated in the present study, divided into 3 groups: 10 children with microcephaly and prenatal exposure to the Zika virus; 10 normocephalic children with prenatal exposure to the Zika virus; and 10 children with no evidence of prenatal exposure to the virus. The FFR test was performed with the /da/ syllable. The LittlEars® questionnaire was used with parents/guardians. Results For the FFR measurements, there was no difference between the groups. The children with exposure to the Zika virus presented a final score in the questionnaire below what is expected from children with normal hearing. A significant difference was observed for the final, semantic, and expressive scores between the group with microcephaly and the other groups. A strong negative correlation was seen between the LittlEars® questionnaire final score and the FFR measurements for the group with microcephaly when compared with the other groups. Conclusion Children exposed to the Zika virus, with and without microcephaly, presented FFR patterns similar to what was seen in children with no evidence of virus exposure. However, they showed signs of immature auditory behavior, suggesting auditory development delay.

Inhibiting DNA methylation alleviates cisplatin-induced hearing loss by decreasing oxidative stress-induced mitochondria-dependent apoptosis via the LRP1-PI3K/AKT pathway

Cisplatin-related ototoxicity is a critical side effect of chemotherapy and can lead to irreversible hearing loss. This study aimed to assess the potential effect of the DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitor RG108 on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Immunohistochemistry, apoptosis assay, and auditory brainstem response (ABR) were employed to determine the impacts of RG108 on cisplatin-induced injury in murine hair cells (HCs) and spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs). Rhodamine 123 and TMRM were utilized for mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assessment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) amounts were evaluated by Cellrox green and Mitosox-red probes. Mitochondrial respiratory function evaluation was performed by determining oxygen consumption rates (OCRs). The results showed that RG108 can markedly reduce cisplatin induced damage in HCs and SGNs, and alleviate apoptotic rate by protecting mitochondrial function through preventing ROS accumulation. Furthermore, RG108 upregulated BCL-2 and downregulated APAF1, BAX, and BAD in HEI-OC1 cells, and triggered the PI3K/AKT pathway. Decreased expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and high methylation of the LRP1 promoter were observed after cisplatin treatment. RG108 treatment can increase LRP1 expression and decrease LRP1 promoter methylation. In conclusion, RG108 might represent a new potential agent for preventing hearing loss induced by cisplatin via activating the LRP1-PI3K/AKT pathway.

Esketamine may be an ideal substitute for ketamine during cochlear function measurement

The mixture of ketamine and xylazine is widely used for the auditory brainstem response (ABR) measurement. Esketamine is twice as potent as ketamine. Our objective was to assess the influence of esketamine in mice undergoing cochlear function measurement including ABR and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) measurement. C57Bl/6J mice were treated with an equivalent dose of analgesia and received either a single intraperitoneal (ip) injection of 100 mg/kg ketamine and 25 mg/kg xylazine or 50 mg/kg esketamine and 25 mg/kg xylazine. Hearing thresholds, peak latencies of waves I and V, and DPOAE thresholds were recorded. Time to loss of righting and time to regain righting were also assessed. We found that hearing thresholds, the peak latencies of waves I and V, and DPOAE thresholds were similar between the two groups (all P>0.05). Time to regain righting was significantly shorter in the esketamine group (P<0.001) than in the ketamine group. We concluded that when using equivalent doses of analgesia, esketamine may be an ideal substitute for ketamine during cochlear function test.

Comparison of ASSR, ABR and 40 Hz AERP Response Thresholds at Different Frequencies and Their Forensic Applications / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To explore the relationship between the frequency characteristics and response threshold of auditory steady-state response (ASSR), auditory brainstem response (ABR) and 40 Hz auditory event related potential (40 Hz AERP), and their application values in forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#Thirty volunteers with normal hearing (60 ears) were selected to perform pure tone audiometry (PTA) threshold and ASSR, ABR and 40 Hz AERP response threshold tests in the standard sound insulation shielding room, and the results were statistically analyzed by SPSS 22.0 software.@*RESULTS@#At 0.5 kHz and 1.0 kHz frequencies, the correlation between 40 Hz AERP response threshold and PTA threshold was good, which was better than that of ASSR and ABR response threshold. At 2.0 kHz and 4.0 kHz frequencies, the correlation between ASSR and ABR response thresholds and PTA threshold was good, which was better than that of 40 Hz AERP response threshold.@*CONCLUSIONS@#To evaluate the hearing at 0.5 kHz and 1.0 kHz frequencies, it is recommended to use 40 Hz AERP and ASSR to comprehensively assess the PTA threshold of the subjects. To evaluate the hearing at 2.0 kHz and 4.0 kHz frequencies, ABR and ASSR are recommended to assess the PTA threshold of subjects comprehensively. The combination of ASSR, ABR and 40 Hz AERP can improve the accuracy of hearing function evaluation.

Frequency Characteristics of AEPs in Normal Young Adults and Comparison of Their Response Threshold and Pure Tone Audiometry Threshold / 法医学杂志

Objective The tests of three types of auditory evoked potentials （AEPs） were performed on normal young adults, to understand the frequency characteristics of different testing methods and the relationship between response threshold and pure tone audiometry threshold of different methods, and to discuss the forensic value of 3 types of AEPs to evaluate hearing function. Methods Twenty normal young adults were selected, their standard pure tone audiometry threshold, short-term pure tone audiometry threshold and the response threshold of 3 types of AEPs （tone burst-auditory brainstem response, 40 Hz auditory event-related potential and slow vertex response） at 0.5 kHz, 1.0 kHz, 2.0 kHz and 4.0 kHz were recorded. The relationship between the response threshold and standard pure tone audiometry threshold, short-term pure tone audiometry threshold of 3 types of AEPs at different frequencies as well as the differences between different types of AEPs were analyzed. Results The short-term pure tone audiometry threshold was higher than the standard pure tone audiometry threshold at each frequency. The response threshold and standard pure tone audiometry threshold of the 3 types of AEPs all had a certain correlation, and the response threshold of the 3 types of AEPs was higher than short-term pure tone audiometry threshold and standard pure tone audiometry threshold at each frequency. The differences in the differences between the response threshold and standard pure tone audiometry threshold of the 3 types of AEPs at different frequencies had statistical significance. Linear regression mathematical models were established to infer the standard pure tone audiometry threshold （hearing level） from response threshold （sound pressure level） of 3 types of AEPs of normal young adults. Conclusion When using response threshold of different types of AEPs to estimate pure tone audiometry threshold, conversion and correction are needed. Combined use of different types of AEPs could improve the accuracy of hearing function evaluation.

The Effects of Riluzole on Cisplatin-induced Ototoxicity

Abstract Introduction Riluzole (2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy benzothiazole) is known as a neuroprotective, antioxidant, antiapoptotic agent. It may have beneficial effects on neuronal cell death due to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Objective To evaluate the effect of riluzole on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in guinea pigs. Methods Twenty-four guinea pigs, studied in three groups, underwent auditory brainstem response evaluation using click and 8 kHz tone burst stimuli. Subsequently, 5 mg/kg of cisplatin were administered to all animals for 3 days intraperitoneally (i.p.) to induce ototoxicity. Half an hour prior to cisplatin, groups 1, 2 and 3 received 2 ml of saline i.p., 6 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride i.p., and 8 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride i.p., respectively, for 3 days. The auditory brainstem responses were repeated 24 hours after the last drug administration. The cochleae were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results After drug administiration, for 8,000 Hz stimulus, group 1 had significantly higher threshold shifts when compared with groups 2 (p < 0.05) and 3 (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in threshold shifts between groups 2 and 3 (p > 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy findings demonstrated the protective effect of riluzole on the hair cells and the stria vascularis, especially in the group treated with 8 mg/kg of riluzole hydrochloride. Conclusion We can say that riluzolemay have a protective effect on cisplatin- induced ototoxicity. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these results and the mechanisms of action of riluzole.

Comparison between chloral hydrate and propofol-ketamine as sedation regimens for pediatric auditory brainstem response testing / Comparação entre o uso de hidrato de cloral e propofol-quetamina como formas de sedação para exames de potenciais evocados auditivos de tronco encefálico

Abstract Introduction: The use of diagnostic auditory brainstem response testing under sedation is currently the "gold standard" in infants and young children who are not developmentally capable of completing the test. Objective: The aim of the study is to compare a propofol-ketamine regimen to an oral chloral hydrate regimen for sedating children undergoing auditory brainstem response testing. Methods: Patients between 4 months and 6 years who required sedation for auditory brainstem response testing were included in this retrospective study. Drugs doses, adverse effects, sedation times, and the effectiveness of the sedative regimens were reviewed. Results: 73 patients underwent oral chloral hydrate sedation, while 117 received propofol-ketamine sedation. 12% of the patients in the chloral hydrate group failed to achieve desired sedation level. The average procedure, recovery and total nursing times were significantly lower in the propofol-ketamine group. Propofol-ketamine group experienced higher incidence of transient hypoxemia. Conclusion: Both sedation regimens can be successfully used for sedating children undergoing auditory brainstem response testing. While deep sedation using propofol-ketamine regimen offers more efficiency than moderate sedation using chloral hydrate, it does carry a higher incidence of transient hypoxemia, which warrants the use of a highly skilled team trained in pediatric cardio-respiratory monitoring and airway management.

Resumo Introdução: O uso de testes diagnósticos de potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico sob sedação é atualmente o padrão-ouro em lactentes e crianças pequenas que não têm desenvolvimento suficiente para realizar o exame. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi comparar a sedação de crianças submetidas a testes de potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico com propofol-quetamina e com hidrato de cloral por via oral. Método: Pacientes entre 4 meses e 6 anos de idade que necessitaram de sedação para a realização do potencial evocado auditivo de tronco encefálico foram incluídos nesse estudo retrospectivo. Foram revisadas as doses dos medicamentos, os efeitos adversos, os tempos de sedação e a eficácia das formas de sedação. Resultados: 73 pacientes foram submetidos à sedação oral com hidrato de cloral, enquanto 117 receberam sedação com propofol-quetamina; 12% dos pacientes do grupo hidrato de cloral não alcançaram o nível desejado de sedação. Os tempos médios de procedimento, recuperação e o tempo total de cuidados de enfermagem foram significativamente menores no grupo propofol-quetamina, entretanto este grupo experimentou maior incidência de hipoxemia transitória. Conclusão: Ambos os regimes de sedação podem ser utilizados com sucesso para sedar crianças para realização do exame de potencial evocado de tronco encefálico. Embora a sedação profunda com propofol e quetamina ofereça mais eficiência do que a sedação moderada com hidrato de cloral, ela apresenta maior incidência de hipoxemia transitória, o que requer uma equipe altamente qualificada, treinada em monitoramento cardiorrespiratório pediátrico e manejo de vias aéreas.

Auditory Deficits in Patients With Mild and Moderate Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome: A Speech Syllable Evoked Auditory Brainstem Response Study

OBJECTIVES: The energy consumption process of cochlea and neural signal transduction along the auditory pathway are highly dependent on blood oxygen supply. At present, it is under debate on whether the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) would affect the auditory function since the patients suffer from low oxygen saturation. Moreover, it is difficult to detect the functional state of auditory in less severe stage of OSAS. Recently, speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR) has been reported to be a new electrophysiological tool in characterizing the auditory dysfunction. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the auditory processes in adult patients with mild and moderate OSAS by speech-ABR. METHODS: An experimental group of 31 patients with mild to moderate OSAS, and a control group without OSAS diagnosed by apnea hypopnea index in polysomnogram were recruited. All participants underwent otologic examinations and tests of pure-tone audiogram, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, click-evoked auditory brainstem response (click-ABR) and speech-ABR, respectively. RESULTS: The results of pure-tone audiogram, distortion product otoacoustic emissions, and click-ABR in OSAS group showed no significant differences compared with the control group (P>0.05). Speech-ABRs for OSAS participants and controls showed similar morphological waveforms and typical peak structures. There were significant group differences for the onset and offset transient peaks (P < 0.05), where OSAS group had longer latencies for peak V (6.69± 0.33 ms vs. 6.39±0.23 ms), peak C (13.48±0.30 ms vs. 13.31±0.23 ms), and peak O (48.27±0.39 ms vs. 47.60± 0.40 ms) compared to the control group. The latency of these peaks showed significant correlations with apnea hypopnea index for peak V (r=0.37, P=0.040), peak C (r=0.36, P=0.045), as well as peak O (r=0.55, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that some auditory dysfunctions may be present in patients with mild and moderate OSAS, and the damages were aggravated with the severity of OSAS, which suggests that speech-ABR may be a potential biomarker in the diagnosis and evaluation at early stage of OSAS.

Analyses of audiological examination in children without auditory brainstem response / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate residual hearing of children severe and profound sensorineural deafness in whom wave V was not found in auditory brainstem response(ABR) testing, and to emphasize the importance of objective audiological tests.@*Methods@#Two hundred and fifty-two children who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between January 2015 and April 2018, with an average age of 20 months from 72 days to 4 years, received a full battery of objective audiological tests consisting of distortion product otoacoustic emission(DPOAEs), tympanometry, auditory brainstem responses(ABRs), 40 Hz auditory event related potential(40 HzAERP) and auditory steady-state response(ASSRs).There were 159 males(318 ears) and 93 females(186 ears). Residual hearing obtained by 40 HzAERP、ASSR of 252 children with sensorineural deafness was studied in relation to the absence of wave V in click ABR. SPSS 16.0 software was used to analyze the data.@*Results@#Four hundred and forty-four ears of 504 ears have residual hearing of different degrees at different frequencies(88.1%),60 ears (11.9%) were found in whom responses was not found in 40 HzAERP、ASSR testing; Seventy-two ears(14.3%) in 38 patients were tested cochlear microphonic potentials (CMs).@*Conclusion@#In children hearing evaluations,a full battery of objective audiological tests could better investigate residual hearing; The CMs were tested could provide the Audiotery Neuropathy diagnosis in infants with OAEs and ABR absent.

Characteristics of auditory brainstom response and auditory steady state evoked responses in noise-induced hearing loss population / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To explore the characteristics of auditory steady state evoked responses (ASSR) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) in noise-induced hearing loss population and the relationship between the response threshold of corresponding frequency and pure tone audiometry (PTA) .@*Methods@#Noise-induced hearing loss patients who completed subjective and objective audiometry in our hospital from October 2014 to October 2018 were collected. The results of PTA, ABR, ASSR and the correlation between subjective and objective audiometry were discussed.@*Results@#A total of 381 ears of 193 patients were enrolled. The difference of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 kHz between ASSR threshold and PTA was 5.9, 6.9, 11.8 and 1.8 dB, respectively. The correlation coefficients were 0.638, 0.680, 0.657 and 0.608. The difference of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 kHz between ABR threshold and PTA was 44.2, 35.0, 19.0 and 2.0 dB. With the increase of frequency, the threshold difference between ABRt V wave and PTA decreased gradually.@*Conclusion@#ASSR and ABR response thresholds are valuable in subjective assessment on noise-induced hearing loss. The thresholds of ASSR and ABR at 4 kHz are close to those of PTA.

Evaluation of peripheral auditory pathways and brainstem in obstructive sleep apnea / Avaliação da via auditiva periférica e do tronco encefálico na apneia obstrutiva do sono

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea causes changes in normal sleep architecture, fragmenting it chronically with intermittent hypoxia, leading to serious health consequences in the long term. It is believed that the occurrence of respiratory events during sleep, such as apnea and hypopnea, can impair the transmission of nerve impulses along the auditory pathway that are highly dependent on the supply of oxygen. However, this association is not well established in the literature. Objective To compare the evaluation of peripheral auditory pathway and brainstem among individuals with and without obstructive sleep apnea. Methods The sample consisted of 38 adult males, mean age of 35.8 (±7.2), divided into four groups matched for age and Body Mass Index. The groups were classified based on polysomnography in: control (n = 10), mild obstructive sleep apnea (n = 11) moderate obstructive sleep apnea (n = 8) and severe obstructive sleep apnea (n = 9). All study subjects denied a history of risk for hearing loss and underwent audiometry, tympanometry, acoustic reflex and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response. Statistical analyses were performed using three-factor ANOVA, 2-factor ANOVA, chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test. The significance level for all tests was 5%. Results There was no difference between the groups for hearing thresholds, tympanometry and evaluated Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response parameters. An association was observed between the presence of obstructive sleep apnea and changes in absolute latency of wave V (p = 0.03). There was an association between moderate obstructive sleep apnea and change of the latency of wave V (p = 0.01). Conclusion The presence of obstructive sleep apnea is associated with changes in nerve conduction of acoustic stimuli in the auditory pathway in the brainstem. The increase in obstructive sleep apnea severity does not promote worsening of responses assessed by audiometry, tympanometry and Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response.

Resumo Introdução A Apneia Obstrutiva do Sono provoca modificações na arquitetura normal do sono, fragmentando-o de forma crônica com hipóxias intermitentes levando, a longo prazo, a sérias consequências na saúde. Acredita-se que a ocorrência de eventos respiratórios durante o sono como apneia e hipopneia pode prejudicar a transmissão de impulsos nervosos ao longo da via auditiva que são altamente dependentes do fornecimento do oxigênio. Contudo, essa associação não se encontra bem estabelecida na literatura. Objetivo Comparar os achados da avaliação da via auditiva periférica e no tronco encefálico entre indivíduos portadores e não portadores de apneia obstrutiva do sono. Método A casuística foi composta por 38 adultos do sexo masculino, média de idade de 35,8 (±7,2); divididos em quatro grupos experimentais pareados por idade e índice da massa corpórea. Os grupos foram classificados com base na polissonografia em: controle (n = 10), apneia obstrutiva do sono leve (n = 11), apneia obstrutiva do sono moderada (n = 8) e apneia obstrutiva do sono grave (n = 9). Todos os sujeitos do estudo negaram história pregressa de risco para perda auditiva e foram submetidos à audiometria, timpanometria, pesquisa dos reflexos acústicos e Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de Tronco Encefálico. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas por meio de ANOVA 3-fatores, ANOVA 2-fatores, teste de Qui-quadrado e teste exato de Fisher. O nível de significância adotado para todos os testes foi de 5%. Resultados Não houve diferença entre os grupos para os limiares auditivos, timpanometria e parâmetros avaliados do Peate. Observou-se associação entre a presença da apneia obstrutiva do sono e alteração da latência absoluta da onda V (p = 0,03). Observou-se associação entre apneia obstrutiva do sono de grau moderado e alteração da latência da onda V (p = 0,01). Conclusão A presença de apneia obstrutiva do sono está associada à presença de alteração na condução nervosa do estímulo acústico na via auditiva em tronco encefálico. O aumento do grau de severidade da apneia obstrutiva do sono não promove piora das respostas avaliadas pela audiometria, timpanometria e Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de Tronco Encefálico.

Auditory brainstem response may predict behavior threshold of children with hearing loss / 基础医学与临床

Objective To investigate the impact of degree of hearing loss on auditory brainstem response predictions of behavioral thresholds. Methods A total of 179 patients with different hearing loss degree ( a total of 311 ears) patients from January 2012 to January 2016 in the affiliated hospital of Yan’an university were treated with auditory brainstem response (ABR), performed threshold behavior test, analyed the auditory brainstem electric response and behavioral threshold correlation, the factors that affect the ABR thresholds and behavioral threshold value and threshold of ABR and correction factor as well as linear regression equation for different frequency stimulation. Results ABR threshold was positively related to threshold behavior for the different frequencies stimulation, ABR threshold may predicte threshold behavior( P＜0.05) ; ABR threshold value can predicte behavioral threshold differ-ence error and the degree of hearing loss( P＜0.05) , through the relevant correction factors can reduce the predic-tion error. Conclusions Auditory brainstem responses may effectively predicte the hearing loss in children with be-havioural thresholds, differences in degree of hearing loss influence auditory brainstem response and behavioral threshold value, constant correction coefficient is conducive to auditory brainstem electric response and facilitates accuracy of the behavior threshold.

The effect of ERS on the auditory cortex injury after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in RATS / 重庆医学

Objective To study the effect and mechanism of endoplamic reticulum stress on the auditory cortex injury after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods 30 healthy male adult SD rats were chosen and randomly divided into 2 groups,ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) group and sham operated control,with each group 15 rats.The rats in I/R group were operated for suture-occluded method to establish middle cerebral artery occlusionmodel(MCAO),with ischemia for 60 mins followed by reperfusion for 24 h.And the control group was only to be isolated cervical vessels,with no thread embolism inserted.The auditory brainstem response (ABR) was tested before operation and at 24 h post-operation respectively.The neurological deficits,ratio of infarct volume were evaluated.The pathological changes were observed by HE.Neurocyte apoptosis were observed by Tunel,and the AI were determined.The expression of GRP78,Caspase-12 were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.Results Compared with the sham group,the neurological function scores,the infarct volume of brain of I/R group increased significantly.The threshold of ABR elevated significantly and AI rised in I/R group.HE staining showed that the neurons in the sham group were arranged in order,the shape was normal,but in the I/R group the normal structure disappeared,the nuclei were condensed.The expression of GRP78,Caspase-12 protein were significantly up-regulated.All of the differences above have statistical significance(P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism of hearing loss after focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats is perhaps related to endoplamic reticulum stress,and GRP78,Caspase-12 participate in the process of neuron apoptosis on auditory cortex caused by ERS.

Comparison of Newborn Hearing Screening Tests Depending on the Examiners in a General Hospital in a City / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: To review the status of newborn hearing screening (NHS) and to investigate the effect of the examiners on NHS tests to help the quality control of NHS at a general hospital in a city. METHODS: The charts of newborns from January 2015 to March 2016 and from August 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the results of tests performed by several examiners(group 1) with those performed by one audiologist (group 2) using the same automated auditory brainstem response test. RESULTS: The screening rate and referral rate were not significantly different between group 1 and group 2. The confirmatory test rate was higher in the group 2, but it was not significant. In group 1, the number of tests performed 3 or more times in one ear at one time was significantly higher. The number of tests performed in only one ear at one time was higher in group 2. The screening rate within one month after birth was 64.21%, referral rate was 7.32%, confirmatory test rate within 3 months after birth was 21.74%, and the prevalence of hearing loss was 1.46%. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference of results depending on the examiners. In order to make proper screening test, it is necessary to periodically educate the examiner and to instruct the examiner by the supervisor doctors.

Safety of Autologous Umbilical Cord Blood Therapy for Acquired Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Children

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in children is associated with neurocognitive morbidity. The cause of SNHL is a loss of hair cells in the organ of Corti. There are currently no reparative treatments for SNHL. Numerous studies suggest that cord blood mononuclear cells (human umbilical cord blood, hUCB) allow at least partial restoration of SNHL by enabling repair of a damaged organ of Corti. Our objective is to determine if hUCB is a safe treatment for moderate to severe acquired SNHL in children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eleven children aged 6 months to 6 years with moderate to severe acquired SNHL were treated with intravenous autologous hUCB. The cell dose ranged from 8 to 30 million cells/kg body weight. Safety was assessed by measuring systemic hemodynamics during hUCB infusion. Infusion-related toxicity was evaluated by measuring neurologic, hepatic, renal and pulmonary function before and after infusion. Auditory function, auditory verbal language assessments and MRI with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were obtained before and after treatment. RESULTS: All patients survived, and there were no adverse events. No infusionrelated changes in hemodynamics occurred. No infusion-related toxicity was recorded. Five subjects experienced a reduction in auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds. Four of those 5 subjects also experienced an improvement in cochlear nerve latencies. Comparison of MRI with DTI sequences obtained before and after treatment revealed increased fractional anisotropy in the primary auditory cortex in three of five subjects with reduced ABR thresholds. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) reductions in ABR thresholds were identified. CONCLUSIONS: TIntravenous hUCB is feasible and safe in children with SNHL.

Brainstem Correlates of Comodulation Masking Release for Speech in Normal Hearing Adults

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Weak signals embedded in fluctuating masker can be perceived more efficiently than similar signals embedded in unmodulated masker. This release from masking is known as comodulation masking release (CMR). In this paper, we investigate, neural correlates of CMR in the human auditory brainstem. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 26 normal hearing subjects aged 18-30 years participated in this study. First, the impact of CMR was quantified by a behavioral experiment. After that, the brainstem correlates of CMR was investigated by the auditory brainstem response to complex sounds (cABR) in comodulated (CM) and unmodulated (UM) masking conditions. RESULTS: The auditory brainstem responses are less susceptible to degradation in response to the speech syllable /da/ in the CM noise masker in comparison with the UM noise masker. In the CM noise masker, frequency-following response (FFR) and fundamental frequency (F0) were correlated with better behavioral CMR. Furthermore, the subcortical response timing of subjects with higher CMR was less affected by the CM noise masker, having higher stimulus-to-noise response correlations over the FFR range. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study revealed a significant link between brainstem auditory processes and CMR. The findings of the present study show that cABR provides objective information about the neural correlates of CMR for speech stimulus.

Update on Bone-Conduction Auditory Brainstem Responses: A Review

Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) have been used as a powerful and the most common objective tool to evaluate hearing sensitivity and to diagnose the types of hearing loss and neurological disorders, through the auditory peripheral pathway to a central level of the brainstem, since 1971. Although bone-conduction (BC) ABR could be an alternative to air-conduction (AC) ABR, as the former overcomes some limitations of the latter, the majority of clinicians rarely utilize it due to a lack of knowledge and no routine test administration. This review presents the weaknesses of AC ABR that apply to all clinical population, and discusses the development of BC ABR. The optimal placements of bone oscillators to obtain favorable clinical outcomes in infants, children, and adults, and the appropriate stimuli for BC ABR are examined. While providing absolute thresholds and latencies of BC ABR based on previous studies compared to AC ABR, this review includes clinical data of infants and young children with both normal hearing in terms of maturation, and with pathology such as congenital external auditory canal atresia. We recommend the future clinical application of BC ABR for candidacy as well as for patients with BC hearing implants.

Is the Auditory Brainstem Response Diagnostic for Vestibular Paroxysmia? / 대한평형의학회지

OBJECTIVES: Vestibular paroxysmia (VP) of the eighth cranial nerve is characterized by recurrent auditory and vestibular disturbances when a proximal part of the eighth cranial nerve is continuously pressed by a vessel. A detailed history and several ancillary diagnostic tools, such as tinnitogram, caloric test, auditory brainstem response (ABR) and magnetic resonance imaging, are used for diagnosis of VP. Among them, although Møller criteria using ABR is a simple method, the previous study is insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate ABR's diagnostic value of VP. METHODS: ABR records of the 14 patients (patient group) who were diagnosed with VP and 45 patients (as control) who were diagnosed with only tinnitus were reviewed retrospectively. We analyzed the differences in Møller criteria between 2 groups. RESULTS: Mean age of the patient group was 52.9 years old and the control group was 55.4 years old. As compared with the control group, there were no significant differences of Møller 3 criteria contents (peak II wave amplitude < 33% [35.7% vs. 15.5%, p=0.133], interpeak latency I–III ≥2.3 msec [42.8% vs. 35.5%, p=0.622]), Contralateral interpeak latency III–V ≥2.2 msec (0% vs. 4.4%, p=1.000) in patient group. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference of ABR parameters according to the Møller criteria between patient and control groups.