Comparison of auditory steady-state responses and tone-burst auditory brainstem responses in normal babies

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To follow the development of tone-burst auditory brainstem response (TB-ABR) and auditory steady-state response (ASSR) thresholds in a group of normal babies through the first 6 wk of life. DESIGN: This longitudinal study involved assessment at four data-collection points. TB-ABR and ASSR thresholds to 500-Hz and 4-kHz stimuli were established in 17 full-term subjects at 0, 2, 4, and 6 wk of age. Stimulus-modulation rates for ASSR assessment were 74 Hz (for 500-Hz tones) and 95 Hz (for 4-kHz tones). TB-ABR responses were recorded to stimuli presented at 39.1 Hz. RESULTS: Mean ASSR thresholds (calibrated in dBHL) at 500 Hz ranged from 44.4 to 39.7 dB HL across the recording period,..