Role of auditory stimulation in maturation of the auditory pathway.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the maturation of the auditory pathway, as shown by electrical brainstem auditory potentials (EABRs), in ears with and without prior auditory stimulation.


METHODS
Electrophysiological data were collected prospectively from ears which had received cochlear implants. Implant-evoked (Imp)EABRs were recorded. Thirty children, implanted after January 2000, were selected according to a strict inclusion/exclusion protocol. All the children had received a 22-channel Nucleus cochlear implant (CI24 series). Intraoperatively, ImpEABRs were recorded using the Medelec Synergy Evoked Response system in conjunction with Nucleus Neural Response Telemetry software. The ImpEABR latencies of waves eII, eIII and eV and the morphology of wave eV were assessed.


RESULTS
ImpEABRs alter during the first 12 months of life. The latency becomes shorter during this period and the morphology of wave eV alters from a broad shape to a more distinct waveform. This appears to occur independently, even in the absence of auditory stimulation.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of electrical brainstem auditory potentials is not dependent on auditory stimulation.
Ray
Jaydip
J
Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Gibson
William P R
WP
Sanli
Halit
H
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000293:Adolescent; D001306:Auditory Pathways / Q000254:growth & development*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004594:Electrophysiology; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000151:congenital / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016920:Meningitis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D011446:Prospective Studies