Clinical standardisation of auditory brainstem evoked responses

Background and Aim: The purpose of this study was to establish a clinical standardization of evoked auditory brainstem responses according to age and gender, to create a reference in evaluating the results of similar patients in future.Methods: The evoked auditory brainstem responses between the years 2005-2009 were scanned retrospectively. The individuals with normal ear examination, a normal tympanogram and pure tone odiometry were included in the study. Differences of I, II, III, IV and V. wave latencies and I-III, III-V and I-V interpeak latencies of the evoked auditory brainstem responses at 90 dB were measured and differences between right and left ear, age groups, gender, gender-age groups were evaluated.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between right and left ears in I, II, III, IV and V. waves and I-III, III-V and I-V interpeak latencies of the evoked auditory brainstem responses. I, II, III, IV and V. waves and I-III, III-V and I-V interpeak latency variations have been observed between age groups. III. and V. wave latencies were significantly longer in men compared to that in women. There was no statistically significant difference between men and women in I, II and IV. wave and I-III, III-V and I-V interpeak latencies. Variations of I, II, III, IV and V. wave latencies and I-III, III-V and I-V interpeak latencies were observed between gender-age groups.Conclusion: Absolute latencies and interpeak latancies of ABR show variations between clinics. As there are neither national nor international standard values, every clinic should first establish its own standardization and determine its own normal values.Key words: ABR, normal hearing, clinical standardization