Age and Gender Effects On Auditory Brain Stem Response (ABR)

Objectives: Auditory Brain Stem Response (ABR) is a result of eight nerve and brain stem nuclei stimulation. Several factors may affect the latencies, interpeak latencies and amplitudes in ABR especially sex and age. In this study, age and sex influence on ABR were studied. Methods: This study was performed on ۱۲۰ cases (۶۰ males and ۶۰ females) at Akhavan rehabilitation center of university of welfare and rehabilitation sciences, Tehran, Iran. Cases were divided in three age groups: ۱۸-۳۰, ۳۱-۵۰ and ۵۱-۷۰ years old. Each age group consists of ۲۰ males and ۲۰ females. Age and sex influences on absolute latency of wave I and V, and IPL of I-V were examined. Results: Independent t test showed that females have significantly shorter latency of wave I, V, and IPL I-V latency (P<۰.۰۰۱) than males. Two way ANOVA showed that latency of wave I, V and IPL I-V in ۵۱-۷۰ years old group was significantly higher than ۱۸-۳۰ and ۳۱-۵۰ years old groups (P<۰.۰۰۱) Discussion: According to the results of present study and similar studies, in clinical practice, different norms for older adults and both genders should be established.

Keywords:

ABR , Gender , Presbycusis , Central auditory pathway , Brain stem time