Monotic versus dichotic multiple-stimulus auditory steady state responses in young children

• Published in: Ear and hearing Vol. 34; no. 5; p. 680
• Main Authors: Hatton, Jennifer L, Stapells, David R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.09.2013
• Subjects: Acoustic Stimulation - methods; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Auditory Threshold - physiology; Child, Preschool; Dichotic Listening Tests - methods; Dichotic Listening Tests - standards; Electroencephalography - methods; Electroencephalography - standards; Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem - physiology; Female; Hearing - physiology; Humans; Infant; Male; Reproducibility of Results; Sound Localization - physiology
• ISSN: 1538-4667
• DOI: 10.1097/AUD.0b013e31828d2c1d

In their recent study on infant multiple auditory steady state responses (ASSR), the authors found that ASSR amplitudes unexpectedly decreased when switching from 1-ear stimulation to 2-ear stimulation, a result not present in adults. In addition, residual EEG noise levels increased in the 2-ear condition. In the present study, to determine whether to use 1-ear or 2-ear multiple ASSR Protocols clinically, the authors tested a new group of 19 young children to determine whether these unexpected findings could be replicated. ASSR amplitude and EEG noise were compared for 1-ear (4 stimuli) versus 2-ear (8 stimuli) multiple stimuli presented at 60 dBHL. Results indicated a small but significant decrease in amplitudes going from 1-ear (40.1 nV) to 2-ear (37.9 nV) multiple stimuli. EEG noise was not significantly different between the 2 conditions. Despite small amplitude decreases, the 2-ear stimulus condition was more efficient for infants and young children with normal hearing.