Gender Disparities in Speech-evoked Auditory Brainstem Response in Healthy Adults.
OBJECTIVE
Gender disparities in speech-evoked auditory brainstem response (speech-ABR) outcomes have been reported, but the literature is limited. The present study was performed to further verify this issue and determine the influence of head size on speech-ABR results between genders.


METHODS
Twenty-nine healthy Malaysian subjects (14 males and 15 females) aged 19 to 30 years participated in this study. After measuring the head circumference, speech-ABR was recorded by using synthesized syllable /da/ from the right ear of each participant. Speech-ABR peaks amplitudes, peaks latencies, and composite onset measures were computed and analyzed.


RESULTS
Significant gender disparities were noted in the transient component but not in the sustained component of speech-ABR. Statistically higher V/A amplitudes and less steeper V/A slopes were found in females. These gender differences were partially affected after controlling for the head size.


CONCLUSIONS
Head size is not the main contributing factor for gender disparities in speech-ABR outcomes. Gender-specific normative data can be useful when recording speech-ABR for clinical purposes.
1 Department of Audiology, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Bahram
B
Jalaei
2 Audiology Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Mohd Normani
MN
Zakaria
2 Audiology Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Mohd Hafiz Afifi
MH
Mohd Azmi
2 Audiology Programme, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Nik Adilah
NA
Nik Othman
3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
Dinsuhaimi
D
Sidek
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D016057:Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013060:Speech; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
auditory brainstem response; gender; speech; sustained; transient