title: Comparison between ABR with click and narrow band chirp stimuli in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Click and chirp-evoked auditory brainstem responses (ABR) are applied for the estimation of hearing thresholds in children. The present study analyzes ABR thresholds across a large sample of children's ears obtained with both methods. The aim was to demonstrate the correlation between both methods using narrow band chirp and click stimuli.
  
  
  METHODS
  Click and chirp evoked ABRs were measured in 253 children aged from 0 to 18 years to determine their individual auditory threshold. The delay-compensated stimuli were narrow band CE chirps with either 2000 Hz or 4000 Hz center frequencies. Measurements were performed consecutively during natural sleep, and under sedation or general anesthesia. Threshold estimation was performed for each measurement by two experienced audiologists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pearson-correlation analysis revealed highly significant correlations (r=0.94) between click and chirp derived thresholds for both 2 kHz and 4 kHz chirps. No considerable differences were observed either between different age ranges or gender. Comparing the thresholds estimated using ABR with click stimuli and chirp stimuli, only 0.8-2% for the 2000 Hz NB-chirp and 0.4-1.2% of the 4000 Hz NB-chirp measurements differed more than 15 dB for different degrees of hearing loss or normal hearing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that either NB-chirp or click ABR is sufficient for threshold estimation. This holds for the chirp frequencies of 2000 Hz and 4000 Hz. The use of either click- or chirp-evoked ABR allows a reduction of recording time in young infants. Nevertheless, to cross-check the results of one of the methods, we recommend measurements with the other method as well.
authors.affiliation: University of Munich, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Marchioninistr 15, Munich D-81377, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zirn
authors.affiliation: University of Munich, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Marchioninistr 15, Munich D-81377, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Louza
authors.affiliation: University of Munich, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Marchioninistr 15, Munich D-81377, Germany.
authors.forename: Viktor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Reiman
authors.affiliation: University of Munich, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Marchioninistr 15, Munich D-81377, Germany.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wittlinger
authors.affiliation: University of Munich, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Marchioninistr 15, Munich D-81377, Germany.
authors.forename: John-Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hempel
authors.affiliation: University of Munich, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Marchioninistr 15, Munich D-81377, Germany. Electronic address: maria_elke.schuster@med.uni-muenchen.de.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schuster
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D000293:Adolescent; D001309:Auditory Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006309:Hearing / Q000502:physiology; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008144:Loudness Perception / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: ABR; Children; Chirp; Click