Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses in cochlear implant patients

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses, the MAP threshold, and the maximum comfort level in patients who had received a Nucleus 24 cochlear implant( Cochlear Corporation, Australia). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 7 adults and 7 children who had received a Nucleus 24 cochlear implant. Electrically Evoked Auditory Brainstem Responses were obtained postoperatively. Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses were correlated with the MAP threshold and the comfort level in each patient. RESULTS: Electrically evoked auditory brainstem responses were evaluated in all cochlear implant patients who participated in the study. The electrically evoked auditory brainstem response threshold was found to fall between the threshold and comfort level of the MAP (in approximately the lower third of the MAP dynamic range) in all patients tested. CONCLUSION: The electrically evoked auditory brainstem response threshold can be used to predict the MAP threshold and comfort level, especially in difficult-to-test patients and young children.