Auditory brain stem response in young and old guinea pigs.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize age-related auditory changes in genetically similar guinea pigs.


BACKGROUND
In humans and animals, changes in hearing are known to occur with age.


METHODS
Brain stem-evoked responses were measured in genetically similar guinea pigs that ranged 6-36 months in age. Changes in hearing and the input/output function curve were determined.


RESULTS
Threshold shift with increase in age was seen. Marked reduction in amplitude of response with increasing age was also demonstrated. No change was seen in latency or interpeak interval.


CONCLUSIONS
In genetically similar guinea pigs, age-related changes in threshold occurred. Latency and interpeak intervals remained unchanged. Amplitude of response decreased substantially after 12 months of age to a greater extent than predicted by threshold shifts alone. This phenomenon appears important in understanding the pathophysiology of age-related hearing loss.
Proctor
T B
TB
Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.
Velde
T M
TM
Dayal
V S
VS
Bhattacharyya
T K
TK
Artwohl
J
J
Towle
V L
VL
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male