Using Bera To Detect Persistence of Auditory Injury In High Risk Infants.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional comparative study tried to assess the hearing status of the high risk infants by Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) and compare with that of the normal infants. MATERIAL & METHODS: BERA was done on 127 infants of 6 to 18 months age of which 87 were high risk. All were given monaural acoustic stimulation using Cz-M1/M2 Montage. Waves I, III and V were analysed for absolute & interpeak latencies (in ms) & also for amplitudes (in µv) & their ratio. All the parameters were compared at 70 dB stimulus at p < 0.05 significance. Results were analysed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, version 14.0. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of mean age and sex between the two group. In the study froup, mean values of all the Absolute and Inter-Peak Latencies of both ears were significantly higher and mean Amplitudes of waves I and V of both ears were significantly smaller than that of the Control group. CONCLUSION: The study found evidence of persistent injury to the various parts of the auditory pathway even as the high risk infants grew up.