CORRELATION BETWEEN BEHAVIOURAL OBSERVATION AUDIOMETRY AND AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSE THRESHOLDS IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Objective:

To correlate the behavioural observation audiometry (BOA) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) thresholds in children up to 5 years of age.

Material & methods:

Prospective study was conducted between January 2013 to December 2014 at Ganesh Man Singh Memorial Academy (GMSMA) of ENT and Head  Neck studies, Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. One hundred and seven children up to 5 years of age were included. All children underwent behavioural observation audiometry followed by auditory brainstem response. Thresholds were correlated using Spearman rank correlation test.

Result:

Positive predictive value and sensitivity of BOA was 87.5% and 93.9 % respectively. Behavioural and auditory brainstem response threshold had good agreement in 59.8 % children.  Behavioural observation audiometry had significant correlation with auditory brainstem response thresholds (p< 0.001).

Conclusion:

Behavioural observation audiometry correlated well with auditory brainstem response thresholds
in children up to 5 years of age. BOA can be used as an initial hearing screening in children.

Keywords: Auditory brainstem response, Behavioural audiometry