The prediction of hearing thresholds with auditory steady-state responses for cochlear implanted children.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to investigate the efficacy of auditory steady-state response (ASSR) in predicting cochlear implanted children's actual behavioural thresholds at various frequencies.


METHODS
Twenty-two children with cochlear implants (Nucleus 24 devices) participated in this study. Behavioural thresholds and/or ASSR in cochlear implanted children were obtained to determine the predictive accuracy rates and errors by comparing the estimated range of thresholds with the actual behavioural thresholds.


RESULTS
Stable ASSR threshold results were obtained in 22 cochlear implanted children. The predictive accuracy rates were the highest and prediction errors were the smallest at 4000 Hz, among the four tested frequencies, using either the Rance 1995 or the Rance 2002 linear regression formulae. The Rance 2002 regression formulae had a higher predictive accuracy and fewer errors than the Rance 1995 regression formulae in predicting the hearing threshold of cochlear implanted patients at all tested frequencies.


CONCLUSIONS
Both behavioural thresholds and ASSR thresholds revealed significant improvements after cochlear implantation. ASSR may be used as a tool in predicting hearing thresholds after cochlear implantation in children. The predictive accuracy is best at 4000 Hz with the Rance 2002 linear regression formulae.
Yang
Chao-Hui
CH
Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital - Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123, Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung Hsien 833, Taiwan, ROC.
Chen
Hsiao-Chuan
HC
Hwang
Chung-Feng
CF
D001299:Audiometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D001309:Auditory Threshold; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003054:Cochlear Implants; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male