Correlation between Auditory Brainstem Responses and Auditory Steady-State Responses in Patients with Hearing Loss: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: A hearing loss can have significant impacts on individuals’ quality of life, including difficulties in communication, social isolation, deterioration of interpersonal relationships, and decreased self-esteem. Objectives:  The study aimed to compare the auditory thresholds acquired using auditory brainstem response (ABR) and auditory steady-state response (ASSR) audiometry in children and adults with hearing loss. Methods: Hearing thresholds were obtained by ABR and ASSR in patients who presented with suspicion of deafness at the ear, nose & throat department of Hospital 20 Août 1953 in Casablanca, between September 2021 and September 2022. Data were collected from 80 patients, totalling 160 ears marked for deafness. The study analysed sociodemographic aspects, clinical characteristics, and population description. Quantitative variables were characterised using mean, median, and diffraction type, while qualitative variables were described using proportions and percentages. Pearson's bivariate correlation coefficient was used to compare quantitative variables. Results: A total of 80 patients (160 ears) were included in the study. Among them, 44 (55%) were male, and 36 (45%) were female. The mean age of patients at presentation was 26 months, with an age range from 0.5 months to 70 years. There was a notable difference in detection rates between ABR (41%) and ASSR (36%-59%) at various frequencies. Significant differences were observed between ABR and ASSR threshold measurements at different frequencies, highlighting discrepancies in hearing loss estimation. Pearson correlation analysis indicated a strong correlation between ABR and ASSR thresholds, especially in the 2 kHz and 4 kHz frequencies. Conclusion: ASSR thresholds are more effective in assessing hearing loss, particularly at frequencies relevant to language development.