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Mapping Auditory Maturation from Neonates to Toddlers using Electrophysiological Responses of the Brainstem

Sunil Mathews, Raghu Nandhan, Sabarigirish K, Arup Kumar Das and Prasad BK

Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry (BERA) is the gold standard electrophysiological investigation for the assessment of synchrony of the auditory pathway. There can be variations in the synchrony based on many factors and age is an important parameter influencing it. From infants to toddlers, there is a temporal arborisation of the auditory brain due to neural plasticity and reorganisation over time. This study aimed to compile normative data in a group of healthy infants and toddlers, by analyzing the changes observed in BERA with regards to age, as an objective reflection of the status of maturation of the auditory pathway. Methods: A comparative cohort study in age-matched groups - group I being Neonates from birth till 7 days of age (n=37) and group II being infants and children from 6 months to 3 years of age (n=31). BERA was used to analyze the changes in wave patterns with respect to age and normative was statistically derived. Results: BERA proved to be an efficient electrophysiological tool to differentiate the auditory maturation between the two groups with statistical significance (p<0.05). Conclusion: BERA is a valid biomarker of the auditory pathway in children, with sequential changes noted in the wave patterns over age. This study highlights the importance of critical age for auditory maturation necessary to develop normal speech and language acquisition.